DITUbcf^cn/. 


"^/'^  ^i*VJA^    J^TK/iK' 


O 


THE 


HILOSOPHYOF    LIFE 


AN  ESSAY, 


BY 


ROBERT  IVI.  GOODMAN 


-"  Thia  scene  of  man ; 


A  mighty  maze,  but  not  without  a  PIak,'* 


Marietta,  Georgia 


1863. 


THE 

WILLIAM  R.  PERKINS 

LIBRARY 

OF 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY 


"  Deliver  ns  from  Evil-— for  Thine  is  the  Kingdom,   t£ff 
fowER  and  the  Glory,  forever.     Amen." 


INTRODUCTION 


Socrates  recognized,  and  respected,  the  Religious  sentiment 
which  sustained  th«  Mythology  of  his  Countrymen,  and  was  too 
wise  to  assail  the  FORM  of  expression  the  sentiment  had  assumed. 
St.  Paul  said  to  the  Athenians,  "  I  found  an  altar  with  thi3 
inscription:  "To  THE  Unknown  GoD."  Whom,  therefore,  ye 
ignorantly  worship,  Him  declare  I  unto  you." 

A  higher,  can  only  be  permanently  substituted  for  a  lower, 
?0RM,  when  founded  upon  higher  mental  development.  The 
ittempt  was  made  to  give  France  democratic  institutions.  It 
failed,  from  the  absence  of  popular  mental  dovelopment  adapted 
to  such  institutions.  The  overthrow  of  the  Catholic  Worghip, 
and  the  attempt  to  substitute  a  crude  philosophy,  failed  for  the 
same  reason.  The  people  did  not  understand  tlio  philosophy 
and  could  not  live  without  a  Religion.  To  those  opposed  to  the 
restoration  of  the  popular  religion,  Napoleon  said:  "You  are 
deceived;  the  clergy  exist,  and  ever  ^vill  exist,  as  long  as  the 
people  are  imbued  with  a  religious  spirit  and  that  disposition  is 
PERMANRNT  in  the  human  heart.  Wo  have  seen  republics  and 
democracies ;  history  has  many  examples  of  such  governments 
to  exhibit;  but  none  of  a  State  without  an  established  worship." 
He  conceived  not  only  the  necessity  of  some  form  of  Keli^ ious 
worship,  but,  restored  to  the  French,  the  popular  form  of  Re- 
ligion, clearly  perceiving  that  any  other  would  be  as  little  under- 
stood by  them  as  the  new  truth  of  One  Supreme  Being,  given 
by  Socrates,  was  by  the"  Greeks. 

But,  while  it  is  irrational  to  attempt  to  impair  popular  faith 
in  the  chosen  form  of  Religion,  we  must  not,  cannot,  forget, 
that  mind  is  progressive  in  development — that  it  is  slowly,  but 
continually,  casting  off  the  prejudices  and  varying  the  charac- 
ter, of  the  most  enlightened  forms  of  the  religious  sentiment.— 
The  mental  development,  of  ont  age,  often  finds  presented,  a 
a  ^vider  range  of  thought,  than  the  preceding,  and  rejects  opin- 
ions, formerly  received  as  unquestioned  truths,  and  discovers,  in 

he  truths  of  the  past,  indications  of  higher  future  development. 


VI  INTRODUCTIOS'. 

Inquiry,  therefore,  controlled  by  reason,  should  be  unfettered 
by  PREJUDICE.  On  this  subject  we  may  adopt  the  clear  statement 
in  the  "Essay  ©n  the  Human  Understanding :  "  . 

"lu  propositions  then,  wh08«- tertainty  is  built  upon  lh«  clear  percfplion, 
attained  eitli'?r  by  Immediate  mtuitioD,  as  ia  self-eTident  projHisi Lions.  «r  by 
•vident  deduction  Of  leasoi)  io  dcmonstratiood,  we  need  not'  the  aaAistance  of 
lovelation,  at>  accessary  to  gain  our  assent,  and  introduce  them  into  our  minds. 
Because  the  natural  ways  of  knowledge  could  settle  them  there,  or  had  done 
it  already  ;  which  is  the  greatest  .".ruiance  we  can  have  of  anything,  nnltss 
where  God  immediately  rjveals  it  to  us  ;  and  there  too  out  assurance  cau  be 
n»  greater  than  our  knowledge  ia,  that  it  is  a  ■Eevdaiion  from  God.  But  yet 
notUia^.  Ithink,  can,  under  that  title,  shake  er  overrule  plain  knowledge  ;  or 
raiionaily  prevail,  with  any  man  to  admit  for  true,  ia  direct  contradiction  to 
the  cli?ar  evidxjEca  cfhid  own  un :'  -.    i'or  since  no  evidence  of  our 

faculties,  by  wnlth  wijj  receive  >  /(.s-,  c;*n  exceed,  if  cr^ual,  tho  cer- 

tainly of  our  intuitive  knowlcd-e.  we  can  ntver  receive  for  a  truth  anything 
that  ia  directly  contrary  to  our  clear  and  distiuct  knowledge.  lu  oucL  propo- 
sitions, therefore,  it  will  be  vain  to  urge  them  as  a  matter. of  Jaith.  They  can- 
not move  our  assent,  under  that  sr  any  other  title  whatever.  For  faiik  tita. 
never  conviuce  us  of  any  thing  that  contradicts  our  knowledge.  iJecause  though 
faith  be  founded  on  tho  testimony  of  God  (who  caun»t  lie)  rcTealiag  any  prop- 
osition to  us  ;  yet^we  cannot  have  an  assurance  of  the  truth  of  its  being  a  di- 
vine revelation,  greater  than  our  own  knowledge  :  si.  ce  llie  whole  strength  of 
the  certainty  depends  upon  our  knowledge  that  God  revealed  if,  will  always 
have  this  objection  hanging  to  it,  viz  :  that  we  c;innot  tell  how  to  conceive  that 
to  come  from  Gud,  tfie  bountiful  Auihor  of  our  being,  vhioh  if  reccivM  for 
true,  must  overturn  all  ithe  principles  and  foundation^*  of  knowledge  he  has 
given  us,  render  all  our  faculties  useless,  wholly  destroy  the  most  excellent 
part  of  Ms  workmanship,  our  understanding  ;  and  put  a  man  in  a  condition, 
x.-'if  -.yn  ]_o  will  have  leds  light,  less  conduct  than  the  beaat  that  perisheth.'' 

:  itLority  has  not  been  appealed  to  with  a  view  of  show- 
ing that  tho  ftilse  and  true,  of  ALL  moral  questions,  must  be  de- 
term  ined  by  reason  ;  but  to  sanction  the  /Employment  of  that 
fac  ulty  of  the  laind  in  the  investigation'  oi/ causes   aifecting   the 

phenomena  of  life — in  combining,  such /truths  as  will  exhibit 
more  clearly  tho  "Wisdom  of  Providenceyond  to  give  the  assurance 

o*f  Knowledge  to  the  Hope  of  immorm  happiness. 
There  is  no  system  of  Theology  in/ harmony  with  the  concep. 

tion  of  the  iNriiijE  Power,  Wisdom/  and"  Goodness,  of  CaOD— 
none  recognizing  harmony  in  tho  ^urce  of  life. and  in  its  Phe- 
nomena, and  the  inquiry  ever  comes  home  to  us  "  Is  the  moral 
gover  nment  of  Gob  and  the  nature  of  Man  to  appear  forever 

H'cordant  ?     Ia  Man  forever  to  appear  at  jyar  with  himself  and 


vn  INTEODUCTION.  . 

• 

the  Providence,  under. ■vrL.ich  he  lives?  Can  no  explanation  he 
given  so  conclusive,  that  reason  cannot  doubt  the  Infinite  Wis- 
dom, Power  and  Goodness  of  God,  as  displayed  in  the  Creation  ? 

Life,  with,  the  great  bulk  of  mankind,  as  "with  the  animals 
around  us,  is  a  scene  of  the  present.  Human  reason  has  seldom, 
nnd  never  ifith  complete  satisfaction,  connected  the  present 
-Rrith  the  FUTURE  of  the  mind.  Not  until  recently  has  science 
given  to  the  grasp  of  intellect  the  history  of  the  past  to  deci- 
pher the  enigma  of  the  present  and  to  throw  around  the  fu- 
ture an  array  of  light,  which  leaves,  in  the  explanation  of  the 
great  purpose  of  life,  but  little  to  conjecture.  To  raise  the  mind 
to  this  high  plane  of  thought — to  read  with  an  honest  and  appre- 
ciative mind  the  truths  of  physical  science  and  the  history  of 
human  life;  to  realize  as  the  enlightened  mind  must,  the  evidences 
of  a  great  purpose  throughout  this  whole  history,  physical  and 
morali  which  forever  controls  the  present  with  reference  to 
high  purposes  in  the  future,  is  to  bring  the  conceptions  of  the 
mind  in  harmony  with  Providence  and  to  give  it  that  serene 
happiness,  confidence,  reliance,  devotion, .  which  he  alone  can 
feel  who  "  juslifies  th{^  ways  of  God  to  man," 

To  such  contemplations  the  truths  of  the rfoll owing  pngcs  un' 
oi'ringly  lead.  From  all  the  sources  of  human  knowledge  fort;* 
may^be  abundantly  adduced  to;  show  that  ProgixESS  is  the  para- 
mount law  of  nature;  and  equally  as  clearly  m^y  be  established 
the  truth  of  man's  subordination  to  that  law. 

"  If "  said  Wallaston,  *' there  is  a  Supreme  Being,  upon 
whom  the  existence  of  the  world  depends ;  and  nothing  can  be 
in  it  but  what  he  either  causes  or  permits  to  be ;  then  to  own 
things  to  be  as  they  are  is  to  own  what  he  causes,  or  at  least  per- 
mits to  be  caused  or  permitted  ;  and  this  is  to  take  things  as  he 
gives  them,  to  go  into  His  constitution-  of  the  world,  and  to  sub- 
mit to  His  will,  revealed  in  the  book  of  xjature," 

"  I  desire  that  I  may  not  be  misunderstood  in  respect  to  the 
actings  of  wicked  men.  I  do  not  say,  it  is  agreeable  to  the  will 
of  Grod  that  what  is  ill  done  by  them  should  be  «o  done ;  1.  e. — 
that  they. should  use  their  liberty  ill :  but  I  ^ay,  "when  they  have 


INTRODUCTION  vui 

done  this  and  committed  some  evil,    it  is  agrfoable  to   His  will, 
that  he  should  allow  it  to  have  been  committed." 

While  these  pages  were  passing  through  th«  press  the  writer 
perused  for  the  first  time  the  interesting  w»rk  of  Dr.  Comb  on 
the  "  Conititution  of  Man."  He  disclaims  in  that  work  an  im- 
portant subject  explained  in  these  pages  as  "beyond  the  limits  of 
the  human  understanding."     He  says  :  » 

The  view  now  presented  makes  no  attempt  to  explain  why 
pain  or  evil  exists,  because  I  consider  this  inquiry  to  curpae9  the 
limits  of  the  human  understanding.  It  offers  an  explanation, 
however,  of  the  use  which  pain  serves — that  tf  enforcing  obedi- 
ence to  the  na,|;ural  laws." 

^These  laws  are  physical  and  intellectual.  If  progress  is  a 
law  of  matter  and  mind,  then  that  which  serTcs  the  purpose  or 
use  of  urging  forward  this  progress,  furnishes  its  own  answer  as 
to  why  it  exists,  being  essential  to  and  inseparable  from  a  prO" 
gressive  creation. 

These  pages  have  been  printed  in  the  midst  of  civil  revolu- 
tion and  under  many  disadvantages.  But  a  limited 'number  ol 
copies  have  been  issued  with  a  view  of  eliciting,  from  the  mindf 
in  the  South  of  enlightened  views,  if  the  work  should  be  deemed 
worthy,  a  careful  and  honest  examination  of  the  great  subject; 
involved.  Perhaps  at  a  future  day,  the  philosophy  thus  submit- 
ted to  the  reflecting  mind,  may  be  presented  in  a  form  -mon 
elaborate  and  intelligible.  But,  be  this  as  it  may.  The  write:, 
has,  he  thinks,  only  anticipated  in  conception,  a  recognition  c 
general  T)rmciT>le3,  to  which  the  combinations  of  art,  science  ani 
philosophy,  wiil  sooner  or  later  compel  the  auscnt  of  all  intelli-  • 
gent  mincis. 


CHAPTER   I. 

INSPIRATION^, 


All  Truth,  whether  intuitive  or  demonstrative  ;  whethei^ 
evolved  from  the  native  vigor  of  the  mind,  or,  resulting  from 
cultivated  intellect :  vrhether  laboriously  discovered  in  exploring 
the  principles  of  matter  or  mind,  or  found  in  the  contemplation 
of  the  Attributes  of  God, — is  Inspiration  aud  comes  from  Gcd.* 
Galilleo — Columbus — •Newton,  were  inspired  with  great  truths. 
It  was  inspiration  which  enabled  Socrates  to  teach  his  friends 
a*  JMSt  conception  of  God — Plato  to  say  that  the  Soul  emana- 
ted from  God — and  Jksus  to  teach  us  that  GuD  is  our  Father, 
a  name,  dear  to  the  human  heart,  expressive  at  ouce  of  origin, 
aud  Love  unbounded  as  the  Infinite  nature  of  its  source. 

It  was  by  Inspiration  that  all  ir^Mi  has  been  discovered  wheth- 
er in  ScienTie,  Philosophy,  Morals  or  Religion.  It  is  hot  meant 
that  in  any  instance  there  has  been  miraculous  inspiration,  con- 
trary to,  or  »a1>ovc,  tho  general  laws  of  nature  ;  but  sinaply,  that 
God  has  so  organized  the  human  mind,  as  to  enable  it,  in  the 
progress  of  life,  to  discover  new  Truths. 

It  is  not  material  to  the  subject,  to  determine,  whether  the 
Source  of  Life  acts  through  laws  which  constitute  the  forms 
of  vital  manifestation  ;  or,  whether  His  Spirit  is  immediately 
present  in  all  forms.  Whether  it  is  through  the  medium  of  laws 
controlling  the  organization  of  matter  and  mind,  or  from  the 
immediate,  informing  presence  of  the  Divine  ]Mind,  it  is  equal- 
ly true  that  our  just  cohceptioiis  flow  from  GoD.f 


*  The  genuine  dielate  of  our  natural  faculties  ?,4  the' voice  of  God,  no 
loss  than  what  he  reveals  from  Heaven. — Reid's    Works. 

t  According  to  the  German  Philosophers,  God  is  conceived  as  fhe^ibso- 
Jute  and  origiual  Huing  revealing  himself- variously  in  outwHrd  nature  auil 


10  ISfSPIRATtON. 

The'  IiTTman  mind  is  tlic  ultimate  result  of  Earthly  organiza- 
lioQ  anil  differs  from  other  forms  only  in  character  and  degree 
of  excellence.  All  forms,  in  their  order^  reflect  the  qualities 
of  Creative  Intelligence.  Design  is  n?areifested  in  all  the  irorks 
of  Nature.  Order,  harraorty,  and,  adaptation  to  the  support  of 
veo-etahlc  life,  are  manifest  purposes  in  the  organization  of  mat- 
ter. Reproduction  and  the  support  of  animnl  Aaturc  arc  pur- 
poses of  vegetable  life.  Increase  and  pliysicn-l  enjoyment  are 
purposes  manifested  in  animal  organization. 

In  each  department  of  nature  there  arc  apparent  Irregulari- 
ties— apparent  defects  in  the  expression.  Matter  is  sometimes 
convulsed  with  violence  ;  vegetation  suhjected  to  adverse  influenf- 
ces  and  animal  natures  unliappy  ;  but,  the  design — paramount 
to  all  disaster — accomplishes  its  purpose  and  vindicates  the  Wis- . 
dom  and  Goodness  of  God. 

It  is  the  higher  province  of  the  human  mind  not  only  to  take 
co<Tnizance  of  these  expressions  in  animated  nature,  but  to  reflect 
upon  its  own  laws,  analyze  its  own  powers,  and  to  strive  to  dis- 
cover the  meaning  of  all  these  wonderful  phenomena.  In  all 
ao-es  and  climes,  this  DiviXE  Instinct  of  the  human  mind, 
however  thwarted,*  has  sought  the  Good,  the  Beautiful,  the 
True  ;  to  discover  its  source — comprehend  its  character,  and  to 
explore  its  destiny.  Here  and  there,  in  the  long  ages,  brilliant 
li<Thts  have  shot  athwart  the  mental  sky,  dispersing  the  clouds  of 
error  and  illustrating  the  energy  of  this  Divine  Instinct — an 
instinct  of  exhaustlcss  energy — one  that  can  never  cease  to  pro- 
secute the  discovery  of  Truth; — never  Host,  while  anything  re- 
mains Unknoavn  of  man,  of  nature,  or  of  God. 

in  human  intelligence  and  freedom.  It  is  not  easy  to  see  liow  pantheism, 
in  this  sense,  differs  from  the  Christian  view  of  God,  as  expressed  in  the 
sublinie  language  of  St.  Paul,  "In  whom  we  live  and  move  and  have  our 
heia'i;." — Brande, 

*  "  One  great  ohject,"  says  Ilallam,  -'tliat  most  of  the  Sdioolmen  had 
in  view  was  to  estal^lish  the  principle^  of  natural  theology  by  abstract  rea- 
soning. *  But  all  discovery  ot  truth  by  means  of  such  controversy  was 
rendered  hopeless  by  two  insurmountable  obstacles  :  (the  authority  a^  Ar- 
istotle and  tha  Church.)  *  After  three  oi*  four  hundred  years  the  Scho- 
lastics had  not  untied  a  sirrgle  knot,  nor  added  one  unequivocal  truth  to  (b& 
domain  of  philosophj'.  *  IIcw  different  is  the  state  of  genuine  philoso- 
phy, l^c  zeal  for  which  will  never  wear  out  by  length  of  time  or  cliange  of 
fasbion,  because  tlie  incjuirer,  unrestrained  by  authorit}',  is  perpetually 
cheered  by  the  discovery  of  truth  in  researches  which  tlie  boundless  riches 
of  nature  scom  to  render  indefinitely  progressive.— ilfuWfc  Agc$,p's,  bll  '9v 


CHAPTER  IL 

GOOD  AND  EVIL. 


The  origin  of  Evil  has  been  the  problem  of  life.  In  atteu^^. 
ing  a  solution  of  the  enigma,  Egypt  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
system  of  Mythology  Avliich,  subsc(|uently,  peopled  the  CJniverse 
with  imaginary  Gods;  and  Persia,  originated  the  conception  of 
a  Good  and  Evil  Deity,  reigning  over  a  divided  and  antagonist 
world.  The  conception  of  ONE  God,  Infinitely  Wise,  Pow- 
erful and  Gooi:),  has  ever  seemed  incompatible  with  the  exis- 
tence of  evil.  Can  all  the  phenomena  of  nature  be  reconciled, 
by  man,  with  such  attributes  of  the  Creator  ? 


Tlic    Universality  of  Evil. 

Evil  is  universal.  All  nature,  animate  and  inanimate,  labors 
with  ILL.  AVe  shudder  at  the  rocking  of  the  Earthquake- 
dread  the  i)rcsence  of  malaria — shrink  from  the  venemous  rep- 
tile— constantly  grieve  at  the  recurrence  of  error  and  mourn  or 
abhor  the  extremes  of  vice: 

"Death,    Decay, 

Earthquake,  and  Blight  and  want,  and  madness  pale, 

Winged  and  Wan  disease/' 

Evil  is  universally  diflkscd — everywhere  an  incident  of  the 
creation. 


Its    Origin   the   Problem   of  all  Ages. 

Whence  this  evil  ?  has  been  the  great  problem  cf  all  ages. — 
Philosophy  and  Religion,  recognizing  its  existence,  have  assumed 
that  the  Creation  is  not  what  it  was  originally  designed  to  be — 
that  the  design  has  been  jx'rverted,  through  suhordinate  agencies. 

It  \&  the  object  of  this  Chapter  to  show  that  the  origin  il  de- 
sign, as  traced  in  the  history  of  the  Creation,  abundantly  de^ 
monstrates  that  there  has  been  is'o  perversion,  and  that  this 
view  of  the  Creation  accords  with  our  highest  conceptions  ot 
the  Infinite  Power,  Wisdom  and  Goodness  of  God. 

The  Solution. 

In  undertaking  to  judge  the  Providence  ;of  God,  as  displayed 
in  the  Creation,  the  Wisdom  and   Goodness  of  that  Providence 


pannM.  be  brought  into  question  by  what  wc  regard  as  evil — 
simply  from  the  fact  that  our  minds  are  finite  and  employed  in 
imme<liate  effects  or  causes;  while  His  Previdence  comprehends 
all  things.  We  can  only,  rationally,  look  at  the  Creation,  as  it 
'     '  f  we  can,    from  its   history    and    character,  such 

>il  its  wisdom  as  a  ichole. 

Among  these  truths  are  prominent  two  which  admit  of  no 
doubt.  The  Beginning  of  the  Creation — and  its  constant  Fro- 
grcss.  These  truths,  alone,  while  they  display  the  character  of 
the  Creation,  if  ^Ye  maturely  reflect  upon  them,  fully  exhibit  the 
origin  of  what  we  call  evil  as  constituent  and  essential  to  it. 

The  Beyinnihg  hurled  into  space  this  Globe,  barren  of  life. 
Progress  clothed  it  with  verdure  through  the  gradual  changes  in 
its  own  elements  and  covered  it  with  life  only  when  its  soil  and 
atmosphere,  in  the  long  processes  of  ages  could  sustain  it. 

That  such  has  been  the  Earth's  physical  history — constant, 
gradual  improvement  from  an  imperfect  beginning,  admits  of  no 
question.  It  need  only  be  stated  and  we  find  it  Avell  stated  by 
Hugh  Miller : — 

"A  partially  consolidated  planet,  tempested  by  frequent  earth- 
quakes of  such  terrible  potency,  that  those  of  the  historic  ages 
would  be  but  mtfre  ripples  of  the  earth's  surfiice  in  comparison, 
could  be  no  proper  home  for  a  creature  so  constituted  as  man. 
The  fish  or  reptile, — animals  of  a  limited  range  of  instinct,  ex- 
ceedin'^ly  tenacious  of  life  in  most  of  their  variciics,  oviparous, 
prolific,  and  whose  young,  imaiediately  on  their  escape  from  the 
eg(»,  can  provide  for  themselves,  might  enjoy  existeivce  in  such 
circumstances,  to  the  full  extent  of  their  narrow  capacities;  and 
when  death  fell  upon  them, — though  their  remains,  scattered 
over  wide  areas,  continue  to  e.\hibit  that  distortion  of  posture 
incident  to  violent  dissolution,  which  seems  to  speak  of  terror 
and  suffering, — we  inay  safely  conclude  that  there  was  but  little 
realsuffeiing  in  the  case.  They  were  happy  up  to  a  certain 
point,  and  unconscious  forever  after.  Fishes  and  reptiles  were 
the  proper  inhabitants  of  our  planet  during  the  ages  of  the 
earth-tempests  ;  and  when,  under  the  operation  of  the  chemical 
laws    these  bad  become  less   frequent  and  terrible,  the  higher 


fiOOD  AND  EVir..  J5 

mammals  were  introduced.  That  prolonged  ages  of  these  tem- 
pests did  exist,  and  that  they  gradually  settled  down,  until  the 
state  of  things  became  at  length  comparatively  fixed  and  stable, 
few  geologists  will  be  disposed  to  deny.  The  evidence  which 
supports  this  special  theory  of  the  development  of  our  planet 
in  its  capabilities  as  a  scene  of  organized  and  sentient  being, 
seems  palpable  at  eviiry  step.  Look  fa'st  at  these  Grauwacke 
rocks;  and,  after  marking  how  in  one  place  the  strata  have  been 
upturned  on  their  edges  for  miles  together,  and  how  in  another 
the  Plutonic  rock  has  risen  molten  from  below,  pass  on  to  the 
Old  Red  Sandstone,  and  examine  its  significant  platfornis  of 
violent  death,— its  faults,  displacements,  and  dislocations  ;  see, 
next,  in  the  Coal  Measures,  those  evidences  of  sinking  and  ever- 
sinking  strata,  for  thousands  of  feet  together  ;  mark  in  the 
Oolite  those  vast  overlying  masses  of  trap,  stretching  athwart 
the  landscape,  fur  as  the  eye  can  reach  :  cbservc  carefully  how 
the  signs  of  convulsion  and  catastrophe  graduaUy  lessen  as  we 
descend  to  the  times  of  tho  Tertisiry,  though  even  in  these  ao-cs 
of  the  mammiferous  quadruped,  the  earth  must  have  had  its  oft- 
recurring  ague  fits  of  frightful  intensity ;  and  then,  on  closin'>' 
the  survey,  consider  how  exceedingly  i^artial  and  unfrcquent 
these  earth-tempests  have  become  in  the  recent  periods.  Yes, 
we  find  everyAvhere  marks  of  at  once  jjroffressum  and  identity." 

Such  has  been  the  material  progress  of  the  Earth.  The  hir- 
tory  of  its  Life — of  its  organized  beings,  is  distinguished  with  the 
same  great  truths — Beginning  and  Progress. 

"Various  considerations,"  remarks  the  above  mentioned  au- 
thor, "incline  nie  to  hold,  that  the  point  is  now  very  nearly  de- 
termined at  AVhich,  "life  was  first  breathed  into  tlic  Wcitors." — 
The  pyramid  of  organized  existence,  as  it  ascends  into  the  by- 
past  eternity,  inclines  scnsil^ly  toward  its  apex—that  apex  of 
^^beginning"  in  which,  on  far  other  than  geological  grounds,  it  is 
our  privilege  to  believe,  The  brpad  base  of  the  superstructure, 
planted  on  the  existing  now,  stretches  across  the  entire  scale  of 
Jife;  animal  and  vegetable  ;  but  it  contracts  as  it  rises  into  the 
past; — man, — the  quadrurtana, — the  quadrupedal  mammal, — 
the  bird, — and  the  reptile, — are  each  in  succession  struck  from 
off  its  breadih,  until  we  at  length  see  it  with  the  vertcbrata,  rep- 


U  f:001»  AND  EVIL. 

resented  by  only  the  fish,  nmroAving,  as  it  "were,  to  a  point ;  and 
though  the  clouds  of  the  u]>j)cr  region  may  hide  its  extreme 
apex,  -we  infer  from  the  declination  of  its  sides,  that  it  cannot 
penetrate  much  farther  intt»  the  profound." 

The  earth  originated  amid  physical  convulsions,  and  its  whole 
history  has  been  marked  hy  them.  It  wtrs  through  such  violent 
chauf'cs  that  it  was  fitted  as  a  habitation  for  Man.  In  the 
midst  of  these  changes — of  this  progressive  improvement  of 
physical  nature — he  appears,  the  flower  of  the  physical  world, 
and  finds  imperfection,  instabilit}^,  upon  all  things  and  upon 
himself.  With  the  instinct  of  self-preservation — the  love  of 
life — the  hope  of  immortality — he  Avondcrs  why\all  things  were 
not  made  jwi-fcct  and  pcr;«rty2c??i — shudders  at  the  seeming  dis- 
order, and  his  imagination  peoples  the  world  with^  demons. 

Until  experience  accumulated,  it  was.;difiicult,'for  man,  to  re- 
concile Evil  with  the  Divine  Attributes  and  hence  the  concep- 
tion of  Demons  and  Spiritual  conflict.  We  now  begin  to  ap- 
preciate the  intuition  of  the  poet:  - 

"Our  proper  bliss  depends  on  what  we  blame. 

All  Nature  is  but  Art,  unknown  to  thee, 

All  chance,  Djkectiox  which  thou  caiis't  not  see; 

All  discord,  HAR:\nxY  not  understood; 

All  partial  evil,  universal  Good." 

Already  science  has  demonstrated  Beginning,  in  the  ori- 
ginal molten  condition  of  the  Earth — and  Progress,  in  all  its 
changes.  These  great  truths  afford  a  stand-point  from  which 
new  truths  may  be  discovered.  If  the  creation  began  with  the 
organization  of  Matter  ;  if  its  irregularities,  or  convulsions, 
have  resulted  in  the  advancement  of  Good,  through  the  count- 
less ages  which  have  elapsed  since  the  creation,  then  we  must 
view  the  creation,  as  it  is, — as  beginning  with  the  org^anization 
of  Matter  and  controlled  by  eternal  Progress.  There  is  no 
difficulty  in  conceiving  change,  irregularity — Evil,  to  be  a  ne- 
cessary agency  in  such  a  creation  and  without  which  its  order 
could  not  be  Progressive. 

Why  insensate,  inert,  dead   Matter,  was  made  the  medium  of 


GOOD   AND   !:VIL.  1* 

rital  plienomena ; — yfhy  it  was  mode  a  medium  foi*  Spiritual  de- 
Telopment,  is  a  problem  beyond  our  reach.  That  such  is  the 
fact,  science  and  religion  concur,  .-.nd  mutually  trace  vital  or- 
ganization back  to  our  mother  Earth.  Whether  this  Matter  is 
eternal  or  ci-eated,  is  also  a  frniti->-^  inquiry,  as  in  either  case, 
the  fact  remains  the  same,  that  life  has  been  developed  Thrcugii 
it^  and,  apon  this  fa&t  rests  the  explanation  of  Evil,  physical 
and  moraL 

If  the  Creation:  had  ^jeen  pitrcty  Spirifdal — untrammelcd  with 
"this  body  of  death,"  it  would  have  been  immaculate  as  an  ema- 
nation of  the  Infinitely  Perfect  Natare  of  the  Ditine  Mind,  and 
there  could  hate  been  no  EviL  Bnt  we  <ivc  concerned,  not  Avitli 
what  might  have  been ;  ])ut,  with  f^icts  as  they  arc,  and,  the' 
Creation,  as  it  is.  This  exhibits,  intimately  associated^  three 
distinct  departments-^-Materilil,  Animal  and  Spiritual, 

At  first,  there  was  chemical  organia^ation,  without  life,  l^hcn 
life,  in  its  simplest  forms  appcnred,  and  after  ages  of  indefinite 
duration  in  the  subsequent  stages  of  progressive  life,  Man  wa^ 
made.  *  In  all  this  history,  Life,  higher  and  higher^  Was,  mani- 
festly,  the  order  of  Providence.  When  TMan  appeared,  we  be^ 
hold  the  highest  Spiritual  Nature  compatible  with  Material  and 
Animal   organization.  , 

In  each  department  of  nature  Evil  prevails.  Earthquakes,- 
and  tornadoes,  are  material  agencies.  Pain  and  death  are  char- 
acteristics of  animal  nature — error  and  vice,  are  incident  to  our' 
spiritual  development. 

In  the  material  department,  harmony  is  the  design — the  pur- 
pose of  nature,  and,  irregularity,  only  occurs,  when  it  is  neces- 
sary to  its  restoration  or  production.  This  harmony  relates 
however,  to  Progressive  development — to  advancing  material 
condition — and  irregularity,  or,  material  Evil^  is  the  result  of  this 
progressive  impulsion.  This  is  clearly  indicated  in  the  Geologi- 
cal history  of  the  earth. 

The  principle  is  equally  clear  in  Animal  life.  Nothing  is  so" 
clearly  marked  in  the  history  of  animate  nature,  as  the  gradual 
progress  of  Life.  There  has  not  only  been  manifest  intention 
to  Harmonize  animal  life  with  material  nature;  but,  the  gradual 


16  <;O0D   AXD  EVIL. 

progression,  or  advancement  of  life,  through  organized  forms, 
to  higlicr  and  higher  conditions,  has  been  clearly  the  des^ign  of 
the  Creator  and  the  history  of  Creation. 

*'There  is"  says  Hugh  Miller,  "geologic  evidence,  as  has 
been  shown,  that  in  the  course  of  creation  the  higher  orders 
succeeded  the  lower.  We  have  no  good  reason  to  believe  that 
the  molusc  and  crustacean  preceded  the  fish,  seeing  that  dis- 
covery, in  its  slow  course,  has  already  traced  the  vcrtebrata  in  the 
ichthyic  form,  dowh  to  deposits  which  ohly  a  few  years  ago  were 
regarded  as  representative  of  the  first  beginnings  of  oi-ganized 
existence  on  our  planet,  and  that  it  has  at  the  same  time  failed 
to  add  a  lower  system  to  that  in  which  their  remains  occur. — 
But  the  fish  seems  most  certainly  to  have  preceded  the  reptile 
and  the  bird ;  the  reptile  and  the  bird  to  have  preceded  the 
mammiferous  quadruped;  and  the  niammiforoiis  (Quadruped  to  have 
preceded  man, — rational,  accountable  man,  whom  God  created 
in  his  oAvn  image,  the  much  loved  Benjamin  of  the  family, — last- 
born  of  all  creatures." 

Evils  affecting  animal  existence  have  been  the  necessary  inci- 
dents of  the  changes  involved  in  the  advancing  order  of  Provi- 
de'n'ce. 

After  the  lapse ^f  ages  of  material  and  animal  progress,  Man 
appeared,  partaking  of  material  and  animal  nature,  hi  a  s^ite  of 
transition,  advancing  towards  Spiritual  existence.  The  evils 
attending  his  condition,  arise  from  his  lower  nature,  which  clouds, 
perverts,  or  degrades,  his  higher.  Still  he  obeys  the  great  Law 
of  Progress,  and  though  he  may  not  change  on  earth  his  com- 
pound nature,  the  historic  period  has  exhibited  his  steady  ad- 
Aancemcnt  towards  intellectual  ascendancy. 
When  we  contemplate  the  cHects  of  pestilence,'^ famine,  or  war; 
Avhcn  we  look  upon  the  sick,  tlie  sorrowing  and  the  dead  ;  or 
behold  the  evils  of  moral  degradation;  we  arc  oppressed  with 
the  presence  of  evil,  and  it  is  not  a  matter  of  wonder,  that,  in 
the  early  ages,  the  cause  should  have  been  ascribed  to  an  evil 
Deity.  But,  now,  W'E  stand  upon  an  elevation  overlooking,  not 
only  the  Historic  Period,  but  the  ages  of  the  earth's  duratioh. 
We  can  see  that  physical  convulsions  and  irregularities,  have  be- 


GOOD  AND  EVIL.  17 

come  less  and  less  frequent,  and  nature,  more  and  more  harmo- 
nious. We  can  see  Iiow  life  h.ns  grown  higher  and  higher  In  or- 
ganization and  that,  at  the  origin  of  man,  the  earth  presented 
all  the  elements  of  happiness  -which  its  convulsions  and  chanf^es 
had  prepared.  When  we  take  this  broad  view  of  the  Providence 
of  God,  we  are  inclin*^d  to  duubt  whether  the  physical  convul- 
sions and  destruction  of  life,  involved  in  those  changes,  should 
be  regarded  as  Evil.  Nor  is  the  doubt  lessened,  when  we  begin 
with  man,  and  trace  his  gradual  development  from  original  bar- 
barism to  present  civilization. 

It  is  EVIDENT,  that  in  the  history  of  the  Earth  there  has 
been  no  Permanent  condition,  prior  to  man.  It  is  equally  evi- 
dent that  Man  was  not  designed  to  fill  such  a  Condition.  He 
may  preserve  his  Identity,  in  the  advancing  order  of  Nature,  as 
his  spirit  is  endowed  with  Consciousness ;  but  the  Condition  of 
Existence  must  be  forever  advancing,  whether  temporal  or  spir- 
itual. That  it  has  thus  advanced,  in  the  brief  history  of  man 
on  earth,  admits  of  no  doubt.  Progress  is  as  clearly  marked  in 
the  history  of  man,  as  it  is  in  the  geological  history  of  the  earth 
and  his  Beginning  and  Now,  present  extremes  which  distinguish 
the  mind  of  a  savage  and  that  of  Newton — the  social  condition 
of  early  tribes,  and  present  civilization.  The  conquests  of  Wis- 
dom and  Virtue,  over  Ignorance  and  Vice  furnish  the  Key  of 
history — the  vindication  of  Providence.  We  sec  Egypt  laying 
the  foundations  of  Art  and  Philosophy — Greece  and  Rome, 
through  centuries  of  active  mental  effort,  perfecting  them  and 
extending  the  area  of  civilization.  We  trace  moral  progress 
through  the  Middle  Ages,  and  through  all  the  struggles  of 
modern  times,  and  find  it  in  our  vast  accumulation  of  six  thou- 
sand years  of  human  knowledge  and  refinement. 

Physical  Science  has  demonstrated  the  principle  of  Progress  in 
the  History  of  the  Earth.  It  is  the  law  of  Matter.  Is  it  a 
law  of  Mind  ?  Can  we  hesitate  in  believing  that  it  is  ?  Can 
we  contemplate  the  gi'owth  of  Art,  Science,  Religion,  Manners 
and  Customs — in  a  word,  of  Civilization,  and  question  whether 
the  law  embraces  the  moral  as  well  as  material  world  ? 
In  the  growth  of  science — the  expansion  of  philosophy,  andl 


I'i  GOUL)   AND   EVIL. 

elevation  of  opinion; — the  improvement  of  manners  ami  cuistoms: 
in  the  general  advancement  of  all  the  elements  of  civilization, — 
ifubjects  from  which  the  philosoph}'  of  history  derives  its  most 
instructive  lessons,  -we  find  the  unequivocal  attestation  of  mor- 
al progress;.  From  the  twilight  of  history  these  elements  have 
steadily  advanced  and  improved  their  influences  over  mental  de- 
velopment, and  they  stilJ  obey,  with  constantly  increasing  force, 
the  impulse  of  the  lav  which  urges  man  onward  to  higher  con- 
dition and  to  a  higher  destiny.  Nations  may  decay,  but  the  im- 
pulse remains,  and  the  truth — the  light — evolved  by  national 
energy  or  national  catusthroj)he,  guides  and  directs  the  FiTiUE. 
"We  should  Know,  now,  that  Progress  is  the  moving  principle 
of  all  nature,  and  clearly  distinguish,  that  in  the  Creation  of 
God,  there  can  be  no  such  condition  as  Rest.  No  rest  for  mat- 
ter or  mind — no  rest  on  earth,  for  the  Soul  uf  Man  must  be  de- 
Tcloped  ;  no  rest  iu  Heaven,  for,  its  bliss  is  in  Progress.  Iner- 
tia of  soul,  like  inertia  of  matter,  woidd  be  death,  complete,  ab- 
solute. 

Through  attraction  and  repulsion,  changes  often  accompanied 
with  violence,  are  produced  in  matter,  which  promote  improve- 
ment. Through  pleasure  and  pain  changes,  frequently  attended 
with  suffering,  are  produced  iu  lunnan  thought  and  action,  which 
lead  to  higher  mental  development.  We  are  perpetually  impel- 
led by  one  or  the  other  in  the  aspiration  for  higher  Jiaj^pincss. 
Think  Avhat  a  llcvelation  this  is  !  A  lesson  illustrated  by  all 
we  know — chisseled  deep  in  the  rocks  and  impressed  upon  the 
mind  of  man — of  a  creation  perpetual!}"  Proorkssiye  which 
can  only  find  the  accomplishment  of  its  design  in  the  highest 
condition  of  happiness  the  human  soul  is  capable  of  enjoying? 

Surely  we  should  no  longer  murmur  that  God  has  so  organized 
us  here  that  we  arc  moved  with  the  sensations  of  pleasure  and 
pain  :  nor  can  the  S^pirit  in  Heaven  murmur  that  its  develop- 
ment there  in  knowledge,  love  and  truth,  must  be  Progressive 
and  Eternal.  We  should  no  longer  complain  that  all  Creation 
is  not  fixed,  stationary,  immoveable,  as  the  Dead  Sea,  but  should, 
rather,  wonder  at  and  adore  the  Wisdom,   which  made  Progress 


r.(-)OT>  AXn  KVfL.  10 

ilie  principle    of  life,    niatei-ial,  animal,    and    spivltual; — wliick 
made  Bliss  the  oflspring  of  active  and  Avcll-dircctcd  intellect? 

''Who  does  not  act  is  dead ;  absovpt  entire 

In  miry  sloth,  no  pride,  no  joy  he  hath  ; 

0,  Icaden-hcartod  man,  to  be  in  love  with  death." 

Look  at  the  Creation — as  it  is — Pror/ressice  in  its  order,  and 
we.  at  once  realize  tlic  necessity  and  the  uses  of  Evil.     Physi- 
cal irregularities,    material  or   animal,  arc  incidents  of  Earthly 
Progress   and  have  constantl}'-  decreased  -with  the  promotion  of 
pli^-sical  harmony  or  happiness.     The    ills    that  man  is    heir  to 
have  a  like  mission — a  like  object — the  Harmony  of  Iiuman  life. 
"If  this  world,"'  siys    Allison,  were  the  final  resting  place  of 
man;  if  it  were  intended  to  be  the  scat  of  unbroken  happiness, 
and  the  human  mind  was  so  innocent  and  so  deserving,  as  to  be 
capable  of  enjoying  unmixcil    ftlicity,  such  a    ni;ivked  and  una- 
voidaljle  tendency  (to  war,)  in  human  afll'^rs  might  well  be  a  sub- 
ject of  unmingled  regret.     ]>ut  if  the  real  condition  of  mankind 
be  reflected  on,  and  the  necessity  of  suffering  to  the  purification 
of  the  human  heart  taken    into   consideration,  the  observer  Avill 
take  a  very  different   view  of  the  matter.     That   war  is  an  un- 
bounded source  of  human  suffering  to  those  encajjed  in,  or  affec- 
ted  by  it,  can  bo  doubted  by  none ;  and  if  any  were  disposed  to 
be  skeptical  on  the  subject,  his  hesitation  would  probably  bo  re- 
moved by   a. consideration  of  the  wars  that  followed  the  French 
Revolution.     But  is  not  suffering  necessary  to  the  purification 
of  the  human  heart?     Is   it  not  in  that    ordeal  that   its  selfish- 
ness, its  corruptions,    and  its  stains  arc   wa,shedout?     Have  we 
not  been  told  by  the  highest  authority,  that  man  is  made  perfect 
by  suffering  ?     Ls  not  misfortune,  anxiety,  and   distress,  the  se- 
vere   but    salutary   school    of   individual   improvement  ?     And 
what   is  war    but  anxiety,  distress,  and  often  agony  to  nations  ? 
Its  great  and    lasting  effect  i.'^,  to  counteract  the    concentration 
of  human  interests  upon  self,  to    awaken  the  patriotic  and  gen- 
erous affections,  to  rouse  that  generous  ardour  which,  spreading 
from  breast  to  breast,    obliterates   for  a  time  the    sclfijjhness  ot 
private  interest,  and  leads  to  the  general  admission  of  great  and 
heroic  feelings." 


20  GOOD   AND   EVIL. 

Profound  and  jjuignant  arc  many  of  the  ills  of  life :  but,  none 
that  cannot  be  borne  with  benefit  to  our  spiritual  nature.  God 
has  60  organized  our  phjseal  and  moral  being  that  suffering  is 
less  in  reality  than  in  expectation,  ■while  it  refines  and  elevates 
the  soul ;  relaxes  its  tics  to  earth,  and,  it  is  found,  that  death 
itself,  the  last  great  evil,  has  no  terror,  save  from  the  love  of 
life,  'vvhile  it  opens  to  the  developed  Soul  the  portals  of  eternal 
happiness.     In  truth — 

"There's  no  such  thing  as  death, 

To  those  who  think  aright; 
'Tis  but  the  racer  casting  off 

What  most  impedes  his  flight. 
'Tis  but  one  little  act 

Life's  drama  must  contain; 
One  struggle  keener  than  the  rest, 
And  then  an  end  of  pain. 

There's  no  such  thing  as  death — 

'Tis  but  the  blossom's  spray 
Sinking  before  the  coming  fruit 
That  seeks  the  summer's  ray. 
'Tis  but  the  bud  displaced 

As  comes  the  perfect  flower, 
'Tis  hope  exchanged  for  sight. 
And  weariness  for  power." 
It  is  seen  that  whatever  there  is  of  Evil,  physical    or  moral, 
results  from  the  nature  and  order  of  the  Creation,  and  that  God 
is  Wise  and  Good.     That  Evil  is  not  a  design  of  the  Creation 
— but  Good — resulting  from    the  Law  of  Progress,    governing 
material,  animal  and  mental  nature.     As  applicable  to  the  crea- 
tion, as  a  Plan  of  the  Divine   Architect,  ^\e  can  easily  conceive 
that  "whatever  is,  is  eight."   It  is  not  for  us  to  say  that  other 
ttian  a  progkessive    creation  would  have  accomplished  higher 
or  more  perfect   happiness!     Bather,    apart   from    all  faith  in, 
and  reverence    for,   the  Author  of  our    being,  our  knowledge  is 
beginning   to  unfold  to  our  minds  the  Wisdom  that  there  is  in 
EVIL.     It  is  ever  found,  ■where  we  can  trace  its  results,  produc- 


GOOD   AXD   EVIL.  21 

tive  of  good.  From  pain  comes  uneasiness,  and  from  uneasi- 
ness comes  effort,  and,  whether  that  results  in  immediate  good 
or  ill,  the  ultimate  is  always  beneficent.  We  may  not  always 
crace  the  beneficial  eflects  of  crime — but  we  know  that  as  it  in- 
creases it  approaches  the  crisis  which  overwhelms  it  and  leaves 
society  better  and  purer  from  its  existence. 

But,  Evil  is  only  right  as  it  advances  the  progress  of  nature, 
and  is  never  right  ix  itself,  any  more  than  a  tornado  is  the 
right  condition  of  the  atmosphere.  Righteousness  is  perfection 
— a  condition  toward  which  we  are  advancing,  but  which  we  can 
never  reach  while  anything  remains  to  us  Unknown.  Physical 
irregularities  have  diminished  under  the  guidance  of  the  Divine 
Mind,  and  moral  evil  must  continue  to  decrease  on  earth  as  hu- 
man Wisdom  accumulates — must  cease  in  Heaven,  save  in  the 
existence,  to  the  human  spirit,  of  an  eternity  of  undiscovered 
truth. 

The  question  tlien,  *' Is  God  the  Author  of  Evil"  ?  is  com. 
pletely  answered  by  the  reply  to  that  other  question — "is  God 
the  Author  of  the  Creation?"  If  we  reply  to  this,  as  we  must, 
in  the  affirmative,  then,  we  have  only  ^to  understand  the  natui'e 
of  that  creation,  and  its  design,  to  render  the  existence  of  evil 
consistent  with  the  highest  conception  of  reason. 

First,  then,  it  appears,  that  the  basis  of  the  Creation, — the 
medium  of  vital  manifestation, — is  Matter, — matter  bearing  all 
the  evidences  of  disorder  and  imperfection.  Now,  if  there 
had  been  no  change — no  improvement,  in  material  condition  or 
organization,  since  the  primitive  period,  the  earth  would  have 
attested  the  design  of  the  Divine  Mind,  in  the  Creation,  to  have 
been,  perpetual  imperfection.  But,  on  the  contrary,  we  find 
nothing  so  marked — so  manifest — in  the  earth's  history,  as  pro- 
gressive improvement,  not  only  iu  the  history  of  matter,  but  of 
life  developed  through  matter,  and,  the  progressive  principle 
upon  which  the  Creation  is  organized,  is  not  only  rendered  appa- 
rent— but,  as  that  principle  can  only  result  in  i\iQ  perfect  happi- 
ness to  which  the  human  Soul  aspires,  the  existence  of  Evil  is 
reconciled  with  our  highest  conception  of  the  Wisdom — the  Pow- 
er and  the  Goodness  of  God. 


r:or)D  a  .n  KVir.  2: 

Oi'ixcral  Oi'Jer  and  Desigti  in  i tie  Creation,  furthvr  considered, 

Tlic  great  departments  of  iiiture  arc  distinct — but  all  subor- 
dinate to  one  great  purpose — flic  development  of  wind.  The 
material  and  animal  departments  are  organized  for  dejinite  tem- 
poral uses — the  intcllcctnral  nature  for  immortal  Spiritual  pro- 
gress. 

Contemplate,  for  a  moment,  these  great  departments  of  na- 
ture, as  they  are  brought  -VNlthin  our  comprehension.  A  recent 
■writer  says:— 

"In  taking  nn  cnlnvgod  view  of  the  constitution  of  the  niate- 
}-ial  Uni'.erse,  so  far  as  it  falls  under  our  notice,  it  may  be  dis- 
covered that  attention,  at  once  extensive  and  minute,  is  paid  to 
two  great  principles  or  methods  of  procedure.  That  one  is  the 
Principle  of  Order,  'or  a  general  plan,  pattern  or  type,  to. 
Avbicli  cvcrj-  given  object  is  made  to  conform  with  more  or  less 
precision.  The  other  is  the  Principle  of  Special  Adaptation, 
or  particular  end,  by  which  each  object,  while  constructed  after 
.a  general  model,  is,  at  the  same  time,  accommodated  to  the  situ- 
ation which  it  has  to  occupy,  and  a  purpose  which  it  is  intended 
to  serve.  These  two  priifciples  are  exhibited  in  not  a  few  inor- 
ganic objects,  and  thc}^  meet  in  the  structure  of  every  plant  and 
every  animal,  and  are  characteristic  of  Intelligence. 

Many  of  the  adaptations  of  in-organic  objects  to  animals  and 
plants,  are  so  obvious  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  dilate  on  them; 
indeed,  they  can  scarcely  be  made  more  impressive  by  any  sci- 
entific treatment.  While  the  elejnejifs  of  nature  obey  their  own 
methodical  laws,  they  are  so  arranged  as  to  form  Jiving  organ- 
isms, and  supply  them  with  needful  sustenance.  Each  agent  has 
its  rule  of  action,  hnt  is  made  to  co-oj^erate  vrith  every  other.  Law 
is  suited  to  law,  property  fits  into  property,  collocation  is  adapt- 
ed to  collocation,  and  the  result  is  harmony  and  beneficence. — 
The  tvhole  is  dependent  on  every  one  of  its  parts,  and  the  parts 
all  lend  their  aid  to  the  production  of  the  whole.  A  break  in  a 
thread  of  the  complicated  net-work  would  occasion'  the  failure 
of  the  whole  design." 

Physical  science  has  been  content  with  the    demonstration  of 
physical  laws  and  with  their  classification  as   the    Laws    of   Na- 


GOOD   A.VI)  EVIL.  23 

TURE.  Mental  science  upon  tlie  broad  principle  that  law  must 
have  a  Law-Giver,  will  class  tlioui  as  tlie  Laws  of  the  Creator. 
"When  Ave  conceive  the  order  of  the  material  universe  and  the 
adaptions  of  its  vai'ious  elements  to  beneJ&ccnt  results,  the  con- 
viction forces  itself  upon  us  that  Lifinite  Wisdom  alone  could 
have  estahlished  its  laws  or  comtemplatcd  their  design,  and  de- 
sign in  no  department  of  nature  is  more  apparent  to  humau  in- 
telligence, than  in  the  material,  of  wliich  every  brancli  of  physi- 
cal  science  ciivcs  illustration. 

Material  nutura  passes  insensibly  into  animal  nature,  and 
furnishing  "OS  it  does  the  basis  of  animal  organization  and  sub- 
sistence aftords  the  strongest  evidence  of  the  Unity  of  Design  in 
the  tuo  departments.  There  is  a  manifest  beginning  in  the  or- 
ganization of  means,  and  an  appropriate  result  of  vital  organi- 
zation dependent  on  those  means.  Tlic  elements  of  nature  are, 
manifestly,  harmonized  for  the  support  of  vegetable  life — and 
vegetable  nature  is  organized,  under  fixed  laws,  for  the  support 
of  animal  existence. 

The  leaf  and  flower,  as  if  by  instinct,  unfold  to  execute  their 
offices  vital  to  the  existence  or  propagation  of  the  plant.  We 
cannot  doubt  that  tliis  is  the  result  of  Law,  prescribed  by  Intel- 
ligence adequate  to  the  accomplishment  ot  the  design.  Law 
is  also  apparent  in  the  physical  and  mental  organization  of  ani- 
mals— laws  controlling  animal  organization  and  operating  with 
results  as  unerring  as  the  laws  of  in- organic  matter.  Lender 
these  laws  the  bee  constructs  its  cell — the  bird  builds  its  nest — 
animals  defend  their  young,  provide  for  the  future  and  defend 
the  right  of  property.  These  are  among  the  laws  of  animal  or- 
ganization, and  are  as  naturally  developed,  as  the  plant  unfolds 
the  beauty  of  its  rose. 

The  intelligence  displa^-ed  in  the  laws  of  material  and  animal 
nature,  excites  in  the  observer,  admiration  and  Avonder.  Those 
Avho  have  devoted  attention,  more  exclusively,  to  physical  sci- 
ence have  sometimes  fancied  that  matter  is  "All  in  All;"  or  that 
chemical  action,  animal  instinct  and  human  thought  are  immedi- 
ate exhibitions  of  a  present  informing  Deity.  It  is  surely  more 
rational  to  conclude  that  the  Laws  which  we  have   the  capacity 


2 1  OOOD  AND   EVIL. 

to  conceive,  botli  in  their  operation  and  ilesign,  are  sueli  as  Infi- 
nite Wisdom  has  willed  in  all  the  modifications  of  Matter,  and 
mind,  and  instead  of  being  God,  are  only  manifestations  of  thsrt 
creative  Wisdom.  It  is  unquestionable  that  God  has  developed 
intellect  from  His  own  Divine  essence  through  matter;  but  it  is 
un-wisc  therefore,  to  conclude,  that  human  intellect  is  the  pro- 
duct of  matter,  or  that  it  is  Deity.  It  is  doubtless  Divine  in 
its  nature  and  a  procreation  of  the  Divinity;  but  developed  un-. 
der  laws  which  ramify  all  lower  nature  and  fix  its  individual  and 
perpetual  indentity, 

*'  llumboldt  thought  he  could  show  why  and  hoAV  this  world 
and  the  universe  itself  is  a  Kosmos — a  divine  Avholo  of  life  and 
intellect;  namely,  by  its  all-pervading  eternal  laws.  Law  is 
the  supreme  rule  of  the  universe;  and  that  law  is  wisdom,  is  in- 
tellect, is  reason,  whether  viewed  in  the  formation  of  planetary 
systems  or  in  the  organization  of  the  worm."* 

An  impression  as  erroTieous  on  the  other  hand  prevails,  that 
with  the  organization  of  the  highest  animal  nature  the  laws  of 
God  cease  to  be  determining  and  that  the  mind  of  man  was  left 
free  and  independent  of  the  Great  Ruler — abandoned  to  its  self- 
government.  Such  is  the  foundation  of  all  pojiular  moral  phil- 
osophy. 

This  point  has  been  discussed  elsewhere  with  reference  to  the 
influence  of  the  conditions  of  life  upon  the  development  of  mind. 
Contemplate,  for  a  moment,  the  mind  in  itself.  We  have  glanced 
at  the  wonderful  instincts  of  the  inferior  animals  and  conceive 
the  difficulty  of  distinguishing  between  instinct    and  reason. 

Are  we  quite  sure  that  all  the  phenomena  of  mind  are  not  in- 
stinctive?    What  is  instinct?!     It   is   spontaneous   thought    or 


*  Proceedings  of  the  Royal  Society  ;  Anniversary,  Nov.  30,  1852. 

f  All  iuKtinct  is  a  propensity  prior  to  experience,  and  independent  of  in- 
Btruction.— Pa%'«  Nat.   Theologij. 

Passion,  desire,  memory,  reason  are  all  natural  propensities  prior  to  ex- 
perience, but  modified  by  development.  Propensity  is  not  the  right  word 
as  explanatory  of  insticct  either  in  man  or  the  lower  animals.  Natural 
impulsion,  under  tbo  laws  of  organisation,  to  produce  certain  effects,  better 


GOOD   AND  EVIL.  2.j 

action  resulting  from  the  physical  and  mental  organization. — 
Can  you  say  Avhcre  instinct  stops  in  us?  Nearly  all  of  our  men- 
tal operations  are  confessedly  instinctive  and  in  no  sense  differ, 
ing  from  those  of  the  lower  animals,  except  in  development. 
It  is  so  with  all  those  affections  of  the  mind  vrhich  spring  from 
organic  impulse,  and  spontaneously — as  love,  anger — the  love 
of  offspring — all  the  passions  and  affections  necessary  to  the  pro^ 
servation,  and  physical  happiness  of  the  sjjecies.  These  are,  be- 
yond questic  n,  involuntary  and  depend  as  little  upon  volition  as 
the  conformation  of  the  foot  or  hand.  They  are  Resultants, 
and  necessarily  so,  of  the  human  organization. 

Memory,  judgment,  reason,  reflection,  are  innate  qualities 
of  the  mind,  as  much  so  as  passion  or  desire.  They  are  Instinct- 
ive, and.  Involuntarily  developed.  The  development  may  be 
varied  by  cultivation,  but  the  qualities  are  nonetheless  instinct- 
ive. With  care,  proper  location  and  nourishment  you  may 
change  greatly  the  appearance  of  a  flower  ;  but  it  is  still  the 
result  of  the  organization  to  irhicli  it  belongs.  You  may  contrast 
a  Bacon  and  a  savage,  but  you  must  confess  that  the  develop- 
ment of  the  one  proceeds  from  the  native  instincts  of  the  other. 

Is  there  then  a  point  in  the  human  organization  where  instinct 
ceases  and  -where  mental  freedom  begins — i.  e.,  where  man  gov- 
erns himself?  That  which  is  instinctive,  involuntary,  or  result- 
in";  from  tlie  anioial  or";anization  is  the  effect  of  the  organization 
just  as  clearly  so  as  the  flower  is  the  effect  of  vegetable  organi- 
zation. AVe  see  the  mother  nourishing  her  offspring  in  obedience 
to  a  law  of  her  nature. f     We  see  an   astronomer  in  the  narrow 

defines  instiuct,  aud  is  as  applicable  to  the  development  of  I'eason,  mcmo- 
rj,  reflection,  as  to  the  Itjwer  instincts.  The  faculties  of  the  human  mind 
arc,  really,  results  of  its  organization,  and  it  is  as  unavoidable  to  us,  under 
natural  impulsion,  to  avoid  judging,  reasoning,  remembering  as  for  the  Bee 
to  resist  the  impulsion  to  work. 

t  In  this  point  of  view,  Avliat  can  ba  more  philosophical,  as  well  as  beau- 
tiful, than  the  words  of  Mr.  Feri^uson,  that  "natural  affection  springs  up  in 
the  soul  of  the  mother,  as  the  milk  springs  in  her  breast,  to  furnish  nourish- 
ment to  her  child."  "The  effect  is  here  to  the  race,"  as  the  same  autlior 
has  excellently  observed,  wliat  the  vital  motion  of  the  heart  is  to  the  indi- 
vidual, too  necessary  to  the  preservation  of  nature's  works,  to  be  intrust- 
ed to  the  [)recariou3  will  or  iuteutioa  of  those  most  nearly  concerned. — Du- 
f/ald  Sic  tear t. 


;1G  GOOD   AND   KVII.. 

■vfalls  of  his  room  demonstrating  tbo  existence  cf  im  unknown" 
plaHCt.  Are  not  both  Resultants  of  the  human  organization? — • 
Unquestionably  they  arc  so,  and  the  only  difference  is  that  the 
one  is  produced  through  the  Emotional  and  the  other  through 
the  Intellectual  nature  ;  and  the  one  is  necessarily  develop- 
ed— shall  we  say  that  the  other  is  not?  Can  it  be  said  that  the 
nourishment  of  offr^pring  could  not  have  been  left  to  the  indopcn-' 
dent  volition  of  the  mother,  in  safety  to  the  race,  and  yet,  that 
the  Great  Ruler,  could  leave  to  h^man  reason,  uncontrolled  by 
Divine  Wisdom,  the  physical,  moral  and  social  advancement  and 
well  being  of  the  species  ?  It  is  not  so.  Subordination  does 
not  terminate  Avith  the  inferior  animals — it  embraces  man.  Ills 
affections,  thoughts,  actions,  are  all  subject  to  the  laws  of  the 
Great  Ruler.  It  is  true  that  man  is  far  from  understanding 
these  laws,  impressed  as  they  are,  upon  his  organism.  It  is 
true  they  are  often  violated — but,  it  is  equally  true  that  they 
control  him  and  are  constantly  advancing  and  elevating  the 
species. 

An  order  of  being  in  the  creation,  possessed  cf  independent 
mental  power  would  necessarily  mar  the  unity  of  design  in  the 
Divine  Government,  inasmuch  as  the  inferior  power  can  never 
comprehend  the  perfections  contemplated  by  Divine  "Wisdom  ; 
and  the  assumption  of  such  a  power  in  the  creation  is  not  only 
suggestive  of  anarchy  in  the  earthly  kingdom  of  God,  but  of 
the  most  extravagant  conceptions  of  discord  in  the  celestial 
abodes.*  But  when  we  reflect  that  the  mind  of  man  is  wholly 
subordinate  to  the  physical,  social  and  moral  conditions  of  life — 
to  the  physical  and  moral  laws  of  the  creation — a  creation  pro- 
gressive in  its  general  order,  material,  animal  and  moral — we 
discover  that  unity  of  desvjn  is  preserved  under  the  law  of  pro- 
gress ;  that  there  is  nothing  in  material — nothing  in  animal — 
nothing  in  moral  nature,  which  has  prevented  perpetual  advance- 
ment, under  the  law  of  progress,  to  higher  conditions. 

"  Everything  that  is  earnest  and  solemn  within  us"  says 
Humboldt,  "arises  out  of  the  almost  unconscious  feeling  of  the 

*   J'tc/c— Milton's  r.iriidiKC  Lcbt. 


r^    ^-^f^ji  '  GOOD  AND  EVIL.  27 

exalted  order" and  sublime  regularity  of  nature,  from  the  per- 
ception of  «?uVy  o/^;/rtn  amidst  eternally  recurring  variety  of 
form." 

Such  is,  in  biief,  the  order  of  nature — material,  animal  and 
mental,  all  subordinate  to  hnvs  controlling  the  organization  of 
matter  and  mind.  Reflecting  upon  this  order,  a  recent  writer 
[McCosh]  observes  "in  proportion  as  the  sciences  have  become 
subdivided  and  narrowed  to  particular  facts  is  there  a  desire 
Avaxing  stronger  among  minds  of  large  view  to  have  the  light 
■which  they  have  scattered  collected  into  a  focu?.  As  the  special 
Sciences  advance  the  old  question  -which  has  been  from  the  be- 
ginning, will  anew  and  anew  be  started — what  is  the  general 
meaning  of  the  laws  which  reign  throughout  the  visible  world  ?" 

The  same  writer  has  well  said  that  "it  appears  we  are  ap- 
proaching the  time  when  an  answer  may  be  given  to  the  old 
question."  lie  has  partially  given  the  answer.  "As  there  is  a 
certain  laio  ofprorjrcss  in  the  development  of  the  young  animal 
to  the  day  of  its  birth,  so  there  seems  to  be  some  traces  of  par- 
allelism to  this  in  the  order  of  creation — a  progress  in  uterine 
life,  and  a  parallel  march  in  the  womb  of  time  from  the  bef^in- 
ning  of  the  creation  to  the  day  when  man  was  ushered  into  ex- 
istence." 

Why  terminate  the  march  of  progress  with  the  appearance  of 
man  ?  lias  there  been  no  advancement — no  progress  since? — 
Physical  philosophy  has  no  difficulty  in  discovering  that  the  law 
of  progress  was  the  princi})le  upon  which  the  creation  was  or- 
ganized ;  but  physical  philosophy  stops  within  the  domain  of 
physical  science,  with  the  appearance  of  man,  as  if  the  design  of 
the  creation  was  then  accomplished.  "  It  is  evident"  says 
Ai^assiz,  "that  there  is  a  manifest  progress  in  the  succession  of 
beinf^s  on  the  surface  of  the  earth.  This  progress  consists  in  an 
increasing  similarity  to  the  living  fauna,  and  among  the  vertebra- 
ia,  especially  in  their  increasing  resemblance  to  man.  Eut  this 
connection  is  not  the  consequence  of  a  direct  lineage  bctAveen  the 
faunas  of  diflferent  ages.  There  is  nothing  like  parental  descent 
connecting  them.  The  fishes  of  the  raljeozoic  age  are  in  no  re- 
.<!pcct  the    ancestors  of  the    reptiles    of  the    secondary  ago.  nor 


?3  C;OOD   AXD   FML. 

docs  man  Josccnil  from  tlic  mammals  ■which "prccadcd  him  In  the 
tertiary  age.  The  link  by  which  they  arc  connected  is  of  a 
higher  and  immaterial  nature;  and  their  connection  is  to  be 
ponght  in  the  vievr  of  the  Creator  Himself,  -whose  aim  in  form- 
ing the  earth,  in  allowing  ic  to  undergo  the  successive  changes 
which  geology  has  pointed  out,  and  in  creating  successively  all 
the  diflcrent  types  of  animals  which  have  passed  away  was  to 
introduce  man  upon  its  surface.  Man  is  the  end  towards  which 
all  the'animal  creation  has  tended  from  the  first  appearance  of 
the  first  Palaeozoic  fishes."  The  language  of  Owen  is  more  ex- 
plicit. "  The  recognition  of  an  ideal  exemplar  in  the  vcrtre- 
brated  animals  proves  that  the  knowledge  of  such  a  being  as 
man  must  have  e.'ilstcd  before  man  appeared  ;  for  the  Divine 
Mind  which  planned  the  archetype  also  forcknciv  all  its  modifi- 
cations. The  archetype  idea  was  manifested  in  the  flesh  long 
jjrior  to  the  existence  of  those  animal  species  that  actually  ex- 
emplify it.  To  what  natural  laws  or  secondary  causes  the  or- 
derly succession  and  progression  of  such  organic  phenomena 
may  li.ivc  been  committed,  wc  are  as  yet  ignorant.  But  if,  with- 
out derogation  of  the  divine  Power,  wc  may  conceive  of  the  ex- 
istence of  such  ministers,  and  personify  them  by  the  term  "Na- 
ture," we  learn  from  the  past  history  of  our  globe,  slie  lias  ad- 
vanced with  doto  and  stately  steps,  guided  by  the  archetypal 
light  amidst  the  wreck  of  worlds,  from  the  first  embodiment  of 
the  vertebrate  idea  under  its  old  ichthyic  vestment,  until  it  be- 
came arrayed  in  the  glorious  garb  of  the  human  form." 

It  has  been  said  thaC  material,  nature  passes  insensibly-  into 
vegetable  life,  and  vegetable  into  animal  life.  Animal  nature, 
also,  passes  insensibly  into  spiritual  nature.  Passing  from  tho 
immediate  connection,  we  have  no  difnculty  in  distinguishing  be- 
tween any  of  tJie  departments  of  nature — =-nonc  whatever  in  con- 
ceiving the  totally  different  natures  united  in  man — the  animal 
and  spiritual.  His  desire  for  truth — his  reason  may  serve  tem- 
poral uses;  but  desire  and  capacity  stretch  far  beyond  finite  ex- 
istence or  finite  uses  inio  the  regions  of  abstract  truth,  and 
while^organlzcd  for  unlimited  expansion*  they  are  animated  by 

*  "Natural  philosophy  does  not  unfold  laws  of  a  wider  sweep — chemistry 
does  not  disclose  more  curious  coml/inat'onp,  nor  natural  history  a  more  won- 


GOOD   AXD  EVIL.  20 

the  instinct  of  immortality — an  instinct  which  points  as  uner- 
ringly to  spiritual  existence  as  the  organization  of  matter  indi- 
cated vegetable  existence,  or  vegotalile  existence,  animal  organi- 
zation, 

*'  To  acknowledge"  says  Humboldt,  "  unity  in  multiplicity ; 
from  the  individual  to  embrace  the  whole  ;  amid  the  discoveries 
of  later  ages  to  prove  and  separate  the  individual  truths,  yet  not 
to  be  overwhelmed  witli  the  mass;  to  keep  the  high  destinies  of 
man  continually  in  view  and  to  comprehend  the  spirit  of  nature, 
which  lies  hid  beneath  the.  covering  of  phenomena ;  in  this  way 
our  aspirations  rise  beyond  the  narrow  confines  of  the  world  of 
sense." 

The  sum  of  phj-sical  science  and  the  philosophy"  of  history,  may 
be  thus  presented  : — Material  nature  indicates  and  its  history 
DECLARES  PROGRESS.  Animal  nature  indicates  and  its  history 
declares  Progress.     Iluuian  nature  indicates  and  it  history 

DECLARES    PROGRESS. 

Such  is  the  foundaiion  which  ph3'scal  science  has  laid  in  the 
organization  of  nature,  for  mental  philosophy,  ^ilic  actual  in 
nature  is  made  the  medium  of  ideal  manifestation.  The  design 
of  the  creation  becomes  apparent.  Progress  being  marked  upon 
every  stage  of  the  earth's  history  to  the  appearance  of  man. — 
With  the  appearance  of  man — the  chief  of  the  earthly  order,  it 
is  not  surprising  that  the  dcstr/n  of  the  creation  should  have  been 
regarded  as  consummated.  But,  it  must  become  apparent  to 
all  well  informed  minds,  that  the  law  of  prcgrcss  did  not  cease 
to  be  operative — that  the  original  design  was  not  accomplished 
at  the  appearance  of  man.     It    had    controlled  material  before 


derful  organization,  than  this  ever  active  ami  living  mind.  *  *  *  For 
this  mind  with  which  we  are  endowed,  or  rathci",  which  constitutes  our 
true  self,  can  in  its  thoughts,  run  a  wider  orbit  than  the  planets,  and  wander 
into  infinity  ;  it  can,  in  the  midst  of  sunshine  and  of  storm,  groic  on  and  on 
ill  knou-Iedi/e  and  in  love  and  in  all  thai  is  (/real  and  good  ihroiigltout  EteV' 
nlty ;  it  can  take  in  more  than  earth  and  sea  and  air  and  all  the  elements, 
and  rise,  by  contomiilation  and  j^mrincation,  to  gaze  on  infiuito  perfection 
embodied  in  the  character  of  dad." — Types,  Jorm's  and  Sj^cial  Ends  in 
Ci-eaiion. 


<:0  )..  ANT)  EVir..  r.o 

animal  nature,  and  vlicn  m m  was  mado.  its  control  extended 
over  moral  nature. 
When  -wc  trace  the  advancement  of  man  in  intellectual  and  moral 
improvement,  in  the  growth  of  civilization,  we  arc  at  no  loss  to 
discover,  even  in  the  comparatively  hrief  period  of  human  ex- 
perience, that  the  law  of  progress  is  as  imperative  in  mind  as  it 
has  been  in  matter.  It  bursts  upon  the  mind  as  the  sublime 
conception  of  Infinite  Wisdom  and  Love  manifest  in  the  crea- 
tion: It  at  once  appears  that  Progress  is  the  Principle  of  the 
Creation — that  advancing  material,  animal  and  mental  develop- 
ment, has  been  its  Order,  and  that  immortal  Spiritual  Existence 
must  be  its  Purpose. 

^Progress  is  the  higher  law — the  principle  moving  all  matter 
— the  law  controlling  all  life.  It  is  the  paramount  law  of  the 
earthly  Kingdom  of  God.  It  is  stamped  upon  the  Rocks — upon 
the  vegetable  .?.nd  animal  world — upon  nations  and  upon  the 
mind  of  man — a  law  illustrated  in  all  the  epochs  of  time?  The 
xliscovcry  of  the  law  regulating  the  motion  of  bodies  fills  the 
mind  with  admiration.  But  here  is  a  law  controlling  that  ex- 
plainod  l)y  NcAvton.  It  is  Paramount  to  all  physical  and  all 
moral  law.  Wherever  there  is  cliange,  investigation  may  detect 
the  law  of  progress.  In  the  beginning  the  earth  was  barren  of 
life.  Glance  as  its  changes — look  at  it  now.  At  first  the  mind 
of  man  was  not  more  developed  than  that  of  the  savage  now 
livino-.  Think  of  the  changes  through  which  he  has  passed, 
and  of  his  mental,  moral  and  social  improvement. 

Nor  can  Progress  lnd  Avith-  the  earthly  condition.  If  the 
earthly  condition  were  final  man's  instincts  would  have  been 
LIMITED  to  that  condition — to  the  passions  giA^sn  us  for  tempor 
ral  purposes  and  mortal  as  our  bodies.  But  there  are  higher 
instincts — INNATE  qualities  of  the  mind  of  man,  which  wc  can- 
inot  suppress.  In  ,all  ages  of  the  Avorld,  in  all  climes,  man  has 
been  instinctively  taught  that  there  is  something  within  him 
Immortal.  The  Egyptian,  at  the  beginning,  believed— the  say- 
age  beiieves  it  noAv.  The  instinct  or  intuition  has  found  expres- 
sion in  Poetry,  I'hilosophy  and  Religion  ;  but  yet,  the  immortal- 
ity of  the  soul  docs  not  rest  anyAvhere  upon  unquestioning  be- 
LIEr,  but  mainlv  upon  faith  and  hope. 


COOD  AND  i:Vlf..  3t 

With  the  abundant  evidence  whuli  the  well-established  truths 
Af  science  and  history  afford,  there  can  no  longer  remain  a  doubt 
^lat  man  is  sutgect  to  a  principle  of  progression,  harmonizing 
the  uses  and  i^iirposc  of  the  Creation^  and  the  only  qucstiori 
•vvhich  can  arise,  is,  where  is  this  law  to  lead  ?  We  cannot  con- 
ceiA-e  that  when  man  is  so  well  developed  here  as  to  live  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  laws  of  his  being- — physical  and  moral — that 
Be  WILL  EE  PERFECT  !  No,  he  wiU  still  present  his  mixed  na- 
ture, material,  animal  and  spiritual — he  will  still  look  through 
his  prison-house  of  clay  for  the  glorious  light  of  God's  Spiritual 
Kingdom,  lie  will  still  be  mortal — still  imperfect,  and  the  Law 
of  Progress  'iannot  end  with  that  condition.  What  then? — 
Shall  we  look  for  anc-*:h*'r  deluge-— and  then  another  race  of  be- 
ings on  earth  more  highly  organized,  as  occurred  in  the  earlier 
history'  of  the  earth  ?  This  cannot  be  without  the  absence  of 
physical  nature,  for  man  is  already  partly  spiritual.  What 
then  is  the  n'e.Tt  Jtago  in  the  law  of  progress  ?  It  is  the  step- 
which  carries  us  freed  from  our  mortal  coil,  into  the  spiritual 
kingdom  of  God.* 

"  Oh  !  Heaven  is  ncavcr  than  mortals  think, 
When  they  look  vath  a  trembling  dread 

At  the  misty  future  that  stretches  on 
From  the  silent  home  of  the  dead. 

'Tis  no  lone  isle  in  a  boundless  mainy 

No  brilliant  but  distant  shore, 
Where  the  lovely  ones  who  arc   called  away 

Must  20  to  return  no  more. 


*  "That  death,  which  is  our  leaving  this  worhl,  is  nothing  else  hut  our 
putting  off  these  bodies,  teaches  us,  that  it  is  only  our  union  to  these  bo-' 
dies  which  intercepts  the  sight  of  tlie  other  world  ;  the  other  world  is  not' 
at  such  a  distance  from  us  as  we  imagine  ;  the  throne  of  God  indeed  is  at  a' 
great  remove  from  tliis  earth  above  the  tliird  lK;avcns,  where  he  displays' 
his  glory  to  those  blessed  spirits  which  encompass  Ills  Thnme:  but  as  soon 
as  we  step  out  of  these  bodies,  we  step  into  the  othsr  world,  (for  there  ig 
the  same  heaven  and  earth  still)  as  a  new  state  of  life.  To  live  in  these' 
bodies  is  to  live  in  this  world  ;  to  live  out  of  them  is  to  remove  into  th«y 
next  for   while  our  souls  arc  coutiucd  to    those  bodic.?,   and  can   look  only 


31!  '^"    ^~  nOOD    AND   EVIL. 

No  I  Heaven  is  near  us,  tlie  mighty  veil 

Of  mortality  blinds  the  eye, 
That  "WO  sec  not  the  hovcrinjr  ani'el  bands 

On  the  shores  of  eternity. 

I  know  when  the  silver  cord  is  loosed — 

AVhcn  the  veil  is  rent  away — 
Not  long  and  dark  shall   the  passage  be 

To  the  realms  of  endless  day. 

The  eye  that  shuts  in  a  dying  hour 

"Will  open  the  next  in  bliss, 
The  welcome  will  sound  in  a  heavenly  world 

Ere  the  farewell  is  hushed  in  this." 

The  hnv  of  profjress,  alone,  if  we  possessed  no  other  evidence 
— if  we  had  no  innate  longing  for  immortality — if  God  had  not 


through  thcso  material  casements,  nothing  but  what  ia  material  can  af- 
fect us,  nay,  nothing  but  what  is  so  gross,  that  it  can  reflect  light,  and  con- 
vey the  shapes  and  colors  of  things  with  it  to  the  eye ;  so  that  though, 
within  this  visible  world,  there  bo  a  more  glorious  scene  of  things  than 
what  appears  to  us,  we  perceive  nothing  at  all  of  it;  for  this  veil  of  flesh 
parts  the  visible  and  invisible  world,  but  when  wc  put  off  these  bodies, 
there  are  new  and  surprising  wonders  present  themselves  to  our  view; 
when  these  material  spectacles  are  taken  off,  the  soul  with  its  own  naked 
eyes  sees  what  was  invisible  before  ;  and  then  we  are  in  the  other  world, 
when  we  can  see  it,  and  converse  with  it.  Thus  St.  Paul  tails  us,  "that 
when  we  are  at  home  in  the  body,  we  are  absent  from  the  Lord  ;  but  when 
we  are  absent  from  the  body,  wc  arc  present  with  the  Lord.  2  Cor.  v.  6.  8." 
And  methinks  this  i.s  enough  to  cure  us  of  cur  fondness  for  these  bodies, 
tu;lcs3  wc  think  it  more  desn-ablc  to  be  confined  to  a  prison,  and  to  look 
through  a  grate  all  our  lives,  which  gives  us  but  a  very  narrow  prospect, 
and  that  none  of  the  best  neither,  than  to  bo  set  at  liberty  to  view  all  the 
glories  of  the  world.  What  would  ye  give  now  for  the  least  glimpse  of  that 
invisible  world,  which  the  first  step  we  take  out  of  these  bodies  will  present 
us  with?  Tliere  are  such  things  "as  eye  hath  not  seen,  ner  car  heard,  nei- 
ther hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive  ;"  death  opens  our 
eyes,  enlarges  our  prospect,  presents  us  with  a  new  and  more  glorious 
Avorld,  which  we  can  never  see  while  we  are  shut  up  in  flesh  ;  which  should 
make  us  as  willing  to  part  with  this  veil,  as  to  take  the  film  off  our  eyes, 
Svhich  liiuder  our  sight. — Di\  Hhcrbck. 


GOOD   AND   EVIL.  fs 

given  us  the  expectation  of  eternal  happiness,  leaves  not  a  doubt 
ipon  the  mind,  of  the  glories  which  await  us  when  wc  pass 
through  the  gates  of  death. 

Temporally,  then,  we  live  on  earth,  under  a  reign  of  supremo 
law  ever  advancing  the  good.  Beginning  with  the  nioitcn  earth, 
it  clothea  it  with  verdure  and  prepared  it,  in  the  processes  of  af^cs, 
as  a  habitation  for  man.  Beginning  with  the  infancy  of  the  hu- 
man mind,  it  has  garnered  up  Art,  Science,  Philosophy,  Law, 
Religion,  and  placed  us,  with  a  ccnsciousness  of  almost  unlimit- 
ed capacity,  and  filled  Avith  joyous  anticipations,  wlierc  we  un- 
derstand the  philosophy'-  of  life  and  the  destiny  of  the  SOUL. 


Of  the  Soul  and  Spiritual  Existence. 

it  was    an  opinion  of  Aristotle,  that,  in  man,  there    arc  two 
mental  natures — animal  and  intellectual.     Researches  in  scierice 
have  thrown  additional   light  upon  this  subject  in  cxplailjiijg  the 
USES  and  adaptations  of  the  material  and  ahiiiial  agencies  in 
nature.     "Where  an   agehcy  is  fouiid  to    bo  crgahizcd  for  a  cer- 
tain purpose,  and  Is  perpetually  c.vercised  iii  the  accomplishment 
of  that  purpose,  nis  may  be  seen  in  the  organization  of  material, 
vegetable  and  animal   existence  :  and  when   we  can  se6  the  end 
proposeu  and  fiiid  in  it   a  full  accomplishment  of  the  DEt^fax,  in 
the  means  employed,  the  itiiihd  rests  satisfied  with  the  manifesta- 
tion of  Infinite  Intelligence.     But  there  is  an  organization — an 
agency  in  the  creation — the  object  of  vvliich  is  Hot  accomplished 
in  this  state  of  existence.     Its  po'^cr:^   find  no    adequate  field 
here — its   capabilities  no  usts    which  f:Il    up  the  measure  of  its 
piii'po'se.     'the  plaiit  rhay  germinate,  mature  and  decay — am!  its 
inissioii  is  accouipiished.     The  animal  colnpletcs  its  found  of  tn- 
joyment  and  of  life,  and  its  destiny  is  complete.     But,  the  Soul 
of  man,   rises  from  tlie  contemplation  of  such  finite  natures  and 
darts  its  penetrating  glance  into  the  ,'^piritual  and  eternal  world  ; 
conscious  that   it  was   organized  for  such   a   condition — a  con- 
sciousness strengthened  into  conviction  when  it  contenipUites  its 
own  powers  a:n<l  aspirations  and  i[\Q-  iroyra^sivc  order  of  the  cro- 

5 


SI  r.OOV   AND  EVIf,. 

ation,  and  rests  batisfied  only  wlien  assurcJ  of  immortal  Iiap- 
pincss. 

The  laws  governing  matter  have  hcon  slowly  but  gradually 
Unfolding  to  the  gaze  of  man,  and  as  far  as  they  have  been  thus 
unfolded,  \vc  discover  design  in  the  law-maker.  Intelligent  de- 
sign is  even  compatible,  in  our  conception,  with  material  irregu- 
larity. The  changes  of  atmospherical  condition — the  alterna- 
tion of  seasons — it  is  not  difficult  to  believe,  are  the  best  ma- 
terial agencies  for  the  development  of  the  highest  Material  Good. 
Matter  has  been  made  subject  to  peculiar  laws,  and  constitutes 
a  kinjrdom  in  itself — the  Material  Kinirdom.  Those  who  have 
investigated  the  4)rogress  made  in  phy&ical  science  will  conceive 
the  immensity  of  this  department  of  nature.  It  is  a  kingdom 
organized — controlled — governed  by,  Infinite  Intelligence  with 
a  definite  and  beneficent  design — the  production  and  support  of 
organized  Life. 

With  the  chemical  combinations  of  soil  and  atmosphere  adap- 
ted to  vegetable  life — necessary  to  its  growth  and  development 
— appeared  the  first  rc5*«lt — regetable  form;?  of  organized  mat- 
ter, under  laws  distinguishing  the  highest  perfection  of  Chemical 
action— "the  great  Material  agency  iishering  in  and  supporting 
Animal  Life. 

Here  is  introduced  a  Kingdom  essentially  different  from  the 
'  preceding — the  material — and  yet  not  disconnected.  The  flora 
of  any  latitude  exhibits  its  close  relation — intimate  dependence 
■npon,  the  material  agencies  which  STipport  it.  So  animal  lifc^ 
though  as  closely  related  and  as  intimately  dependent  upon  the 
flora  of  the  earth,  is  govcrened  by  l.iws  so  widely  different — that 
■we  disticiguish  them  as  INSTINCTIVE.  It  is  cf^ually  difficult  to 
define  the  distinction  between  vital  chemical,  and,  instinctive 
action — as  between  instinct  aiid  reason,  inasmuch  as  they  all 
agree  in  this — that  each  is  the  spontaneous  RESULT  of  organiza- 
tion. External  influences  alike  aflcct  and  vary  the  develop- 
ment of  each — but  in  some  form  or  other  each  is  necessarily  de- 
veloped. 

As  matter  preceded  vegetable  forms — as  vegetable  forms  prc- 
t'cded  animal  life — so  animal  life  is  made  to  precede  spiritual  ex- 


/ 

riOOl)  AND  EVIL.  3& 

istcncc.  The  first  runs  not  more  clearly  into  the  second,  or  tlie 
second  into  the  third,  than  the  latter  passes  into  the  highest 
department  of  nature.  Each  kin,n;dom  is  distinguished  by  its 
laws  and  yet  intimately  associated  in  nature. 

Man  is  a  compound  of  materia],  animal  and  spiritual  nature* 
The  elements  of  ■vshich  our  bodies  are  organized  are  material — 
*'of  the  earth-earthy."  The  organization  of  this  matter  iii 
the  human  FORM  is  with  a  vievv  to  Definite  purposes — animal- 
and  SPIRITUAL  existence.  It  is  as  apparent  that  the  desire  for 
food— for  property — for  all  sensual  gratification  and  animal 
emotion  have  as  distinct  and  definite  uses  as  the  heart,  teeth,  or 
the  organs  of  sense^  These  uses  churacteriae  all  animal  life 
and  ift  their  exercise,  we  do  not  differ  from  the  organizations,  be- 
loTV  us,  except  in  varied  development* 

There  is  no  more  reason  to  believe  that  this  material  and  ani- 
mal nature  of  ours,  is  designed  for  immcrtality — for  spiritual 
existence,  than  the  brute  organizations  below  us.  Indeed  it  is 
utterly  impossible  to  conceive  how  they  can  put  on  incorruption 
or  to  what  uses  they  could  be  adapted  in  a  state  of  spiritual  ex- 
istence. Besides,  the  whole  design  of  animal  organization, 
brute  and  human,  is  accomplished  in  the  present  state  of  exis- 
tence. The  design  is  the  development,  preservation  and  happi- 
ness of  the  organization,  and,  in  man,  the  Production  of  a  Spir- 
itual nature.  Various  casualties  affect  the  general  laws  of  ani- 
mal nature ;  but  the  original  purpose  is  paramount,  even  in  the 
production  of  the  spiritual  nature  of  man.  There  is  no  human 
organization  Avithout  tlie  instinct  of  an  immortal  nature,  how- 
ever absurd  may  be  the  Conception  of  Spiritual  Existence. 

^Vhat  then  is  the  soul — the  spiritual  nature  of  man  ?  What 
is  it  iu  him,  the  design  of  which  is  not  accomplished  in  this  life; 
— which  possesses  desire  and  capacity  boundless  as  eternity  and 
an  emotional  nature  which  immortality  alone  can  gratify  ?  It 
is  his  intellectual  and  moral  nature,  Avhich  bears  the  likeness  of 
the  Divine  INlind.  The  capacity  to  discover  Truth — the  Desire 
for  its  discovery,  and  the  Moral  Natiu'c  to  appreciate  it. 


i^  GOOD    AND   EVIL. 

Spirit  only  can  comprehend  the  spiritual.  But  even  here  the 
Soul  lias  glimpses  of  God's  Spiritual  Kingdom. 

"  Oft  in  the  hours  of  holy  thought 

To  the  thirsting  soul  is  given 
The  power  to  pierce  through  the  mist  of  sense 

To  the  beauteous  pccnes  of  Heaven." 

The  necessities  of  existence  on  earth  engage  the  animal  pt^Sr 
Rions  and  affcctians  and  little  Jcisure  or  inclination  is  left  for  those 
high  abstractions  of  the  Soul  which  relate  to  a  subscqucpt'and 
higher  existence.  Still  the  Sou|  cf  man,  occasionully  freed 
f;-om  the  reign  of  animal  passion,  happily  contemplates  and  en- 
joys, exhibitions  of  Wisdom — Goodness — Power  ;  of  the  Trqe^— 
the  Beautiful— the  Sublime.  It  is  in  such  moments  that  we  feel 
the  passions  to  be  ephemera],  and  that  the  Hope — the  Will — 
the  Memoky — the  power  of  Reflection  and  the  quenchless  de- 
sire to  Know,  are  Spiritual-— Immortal— God-like  and  Ijidcr 
structible. 

"  The  princi})le  of  Harmony  is  "  the  universal  and  eternal 
witness  of  God's  goodness  and  love,  to  draw  man  to  himself." 
An  evidence  of  its  spiritual  origin  is  that  it-  can  never  be  re- 
alized by  any  human  being  as  such.  We  all  deserve  it  and  tend 
towards  it,  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave ;  but  the  absolute  Har- 
mony, or  perfect  assimilation  of  all  the  elements  of  beauty, 
truth,  and  goodness,  never  comes.  We  are  hence  impelled  to 
ceaseless  action.  And  the  motive  is  the  hope  to  realise  or  at 
least  approximate  more  nearly  to  a  satisfying  state.  And  yet 
such  a  state  was  never  gained  in  this  life  by  the  attainment  of 
any  object ;  the  secret  ruler  of  the  soul,  the  inscrutible,  ever 
present  spirit  of  Harmony,  points  to  another  world; 

"  While  we  cannot  to  ourselves  become  the  object  of  Harmo- 
ny, it  is  nevertheless  certain,  firom  the  universal  desire  so  to  ide- 
alize it,  that  we  cannot  suppress  the  continual  impulse  ,of  this 
paramount  Principle  ;  which,  therefore,  as  it  seems  to  us,  must 
have  a  double  purpose  ;  first,  by  its  outward  manifestation,  whicji 
we  all  recognize,  to  confirm  its  reality,  and  secondly,  to  convince 


GOOD   iND   EVIL.  37 

the  mind  that  its  true  object  is  not  merely  out  of,  but  above,  it- 
self,— and  only  to  be  found  in  the  Infinite  Creator."* 

How  a  mortal  organization  is  made  the  medium  of  spiritual 
and  immortal  existence,  ve  know  not,  any  more  than  we  can 
explain  the  enigma  of  life  itself,  which  forever  evades  inquiry. 
We  know  that  God  breathed  into  man — into  animated  nature, 
the  breath  of  life.  IIow,  avc  know  not.  The  grain  we  drop 
into  the  ground  contains  and  transmits  the  principle  of  life. — 
IIow  it  \vas  received  it  is  vain  to  conjecture.  It  is  enough  to 
know  that  it  is  His  Avork.  So  with  the  Soul.  As  the  body  of 
man  must  partake  of  a  common  nature  with  all  matter,  so  the 
Soul  however  imparted,  must  be  of  the  Divine  Essencc,t  an4 
when  freed  from  mortal  desires  whiph  cloud  it  hero,  MUST  find 
its  home  in  the  Spiritual  Ivingdom  of  God. 

To  conceive  such  an  existence  we  must  reflect  well  upon  the 
natiu'e  of  tlje  hunjan  soul — reflect  that  wherever  man  is  found, 
there  is  awakened  in  hiin  a  Consciousness  of  immortality  and  a 
Reason  to  determine  Avliat  of  him  is  designed  for  mortality, 
what  for  immortality.  Keason  piSTiNquisiiES  the  passions  of 
the  body  and  tl;ose  iustijiptive  desires,  unlimited  in  thei}*  ;'ange, 
by  the  bodily  cxistei^pe.  With  the  intuition  of  an  in^mortal  na- 
ture, accompanied  with  the  Hope — the  longing  for  imii|ortality, 
♦•eason  demoistrates  a  capacity  for  knowledge  unlimited  by  time 
or  space,  attended  wit]i  a  quenchless  desire  to  know — to  pene- 
trate the  height  and  depth  of  knowledge  and  to  feast  upon  its 
fruit  forever.  From  such  knowledge  comes  Wisdom,  the  food 
of  the  soul,  and  for  which  it  yearns  as  a  possession  that  not  only 
brings  it  nearer  to  God,  but  awakens  those  emotions  Avhich  the 
Angels  feel. 

When  we  "shuflle  ofl  this  mortal  coil,"  with  these  attributes 
and  these  desires,  we  awake  to  new  conditions  of  life  in  the 
spiritual  Kingdom  of  God,     Then  "  Avith   glance    dilate,"  with 


*  Alston's  Arts  and  Artists. 


t  "For  as  niucli  tUeu  as  \vc  are  the  oitspri.vg  of  God,  We  ought  not  to 
think  ihat  the  God-head  is  like  unto  gold,  or  silver,  or  stone,  graven  by  art 
and  man';?  device."— i'a^f/  A)  f/ic  Athrnians. 


j,S  coot)  ANl)  i;Vli.. 

AYOuJer  and  uilmii-ution  at  tlic  constantly  uufukling  pciicctions 
of  Infinite  Wisdom  and  Love,  the  spirit  will  drink  of  the  foun- 
tains of  the  good,  the  beautiful,  the  true,  in  Eternal  Progress. 
Such  is  spiritual  existence,  the  1)c;j:inning  of  -vvhich  is  Now. 
Its  origin  wa?  lai*l  i!i  the  earth's  oriraiii'/atiou — it  has  resulted 
in  the  dcvdoplnrti '  of  the  human  mind'— a  mind  possessed  ot 
capacity  ntid  uni-^r  a  law,  litting  it  for  eternal  progress.  Thus 
Addison  v  rote,  h.njjr  before  physic  1  science  had  furuislicd  illus- 
trations of  the  rAiiAMOLNT  Law  uf  Nature  : — 

'•The  cours''  il'  my  last  speculation  led  me  insensibly  into  a 
subject  upon  '^vliich  I  always  meditate  with  great  delight,  I  mean 
the  immortality  of  the  soul.  I  was  yesterday  waJkinjg  alone  in 
one  of  ray  friend's  woodS)  and  lost  myself  in  it  very  agreeably, 
tis  1  was  running  over  in  my  mind  the  several  arguments  that 
establish  this  great  point,  which  is  the  basis  of  moralit^^,  and 
the  source  of  all  the  pleasing  hopes  and  secret  joys  that  can 
arise  in  the  heart  of  a  reasonable  creature.  I  consider  those 
several  proofs  draAvn, 

First,  From  the  nature  of  the  soul  itself,  and  particularly  its 
immateriality;  which,  though  not  absolutely  necessary  to  the 
cternitv  of  its  duration,  has,  I  think,  been  evinced  to  almost  a 
demonstration. 

Sccondli/,  From  its  passions  and  sentiments,  as  particularly 
from  its  love  of  existence,  its  horror  of  annihilation,  and  its 
hope  of  immortality,  with  that  sweet  satisfaction  which  it  finds 
in  the  practice  of  virtue,  and  that  uneasiness  which  follows  in  it 
upon  the  commission  of  vice. 

TJtirdJji,  From  the  nature  of  the  Supreme  Ik'ing,  whose  jus- 
tice, goodness,  wisdom,  and  veracity,  arc  all  concerned  in  this 
jj^reat  point. 

But  among  thceo  and  other  excellent  arguments  for  the  im- 
mortality of  the  soul,  there  is  one  drawn  from  the  peri)ctual 
fro(/re><fs  of  the  soul  to  its  j^crf cation,  without  a  possibility  of  ever 
firriving  at  it ;  whicli  is  a  hint  that  I  do  not  remember  to  have 
.seen  opened  and  improved  by  others  wlio  have  written  on  this 
subject,  though  it  seems  to  mo  to  carry  a  (jreat  weight  with  it. 
How  can  it  enter  into  the  thoughts  of  man,  that  the  soul,  which 


noon  AXD  KVir..  sft 

is  capable  of  such  immense  perfections,  an<I  of  receiving  neir 
improvements  to  all  etcrnltT,  shall  fall  a-vva^-  into  nothing  almost 
as  soon  as  it  is  created  ?  Arc  such  abilities  m;ule  for  no  pur- 
pose ?  A  brute  arrives  at  a  point  of  perfection  that  he  can 
never  pass  :  in  a  few  years  he  has  all  the  endowrcents  he  is  ca- 
pable of ;  and  -vverc  he  to  live  ten  thousand  more,  would  be  the 
same  thing  he  is  at  present.  Were  a  human  soul  thus  at  a  stand 
in  her  accomplishments;  -vverc  her  faculties  to  be  full  blown,  and 
nicapable  of  farther  enlargements,  I  could  imagine  it  might  fall 
away  insensibly,  and  drop  at  once  into  a  state  of  annihilation, 
T)ut  can  we  believe  a  thinking  being,  that  is  in  a  perpetual  pro- 
press  of  improvement,  and  travelling  on  from  perfection  to  per- 
fection, after  having  just  looked  abroad  into  the  ijorks  of  it? 
Creator,  and  made  a  few  discoveries  of  his  infinite  goodness, 
wisdom,  and  jjower,  must  perish  at  her  first  setting  out,  and  in 
the  very  beginning  of  her  inquiries  ? 

A  man  considered  in  his  present  state  seems  onh*  sent  into  tho 
world  to  propagate  his  kind.  He  provides  himself  with  a  suc- 
cessor, and  iaimediately  (juits  his  post  to  make  room  for  him. 

He  does  not  seem  to  enjoy  life,  but  to  deliver  it  down  to  oth- 
ers. This  not  surprising  to  consider  in  animals  which  ai'C  form- 
ed for  our  use,  and  can  finish  their  business  in  a  short  life. — 
The  silkworm,  after  having  spun  her  tank,  lays  her  eggs  and  dies. 
But  a  man  can  never  have  taken  in  his  full  measure  of  knowl- 
edge, han  not  time  to  subdue  Ins  jx^^^ions,  establish  his  soul  in 
virtue,  and  come  up  to  the  perfection  of  his  nature,  before  he  ia 
hurried  off  the  stage.  ^^''ouId  an  injinitclf/  ivise  Being  make 
»uch  glorious  creatures  for  so  mean  a  purpoi^e  ?  Can  he  delight 
in  the  production  of  such  abortive  intelligence,  such  short-lived 
reasoning  beings  ?  Would  he  give  u.?  talents  that  are  not  to  be 
exerted?  capacities  that  are  never  to  be  gratified?  How  can 
we  find  that  wisdom  which  shines  through  all  his  works,  in  the 
for-tnation  of  man,  without  looking  on  this  world  aa  only  a  nur- 
sery for  the  next ;  and  believing  that  the  several  generations  of 
rational  creatures  which  rise  up  and  disappear  in  such  quick 
-  successions,  are  only  to  receive  their //r-s-^  rudaueuT-;  of  existence 
here,  and  afterwards  to  be  transplanted  into  ;i  more  friendly 
climate,  where  thc}'  may  sprcn.l  and  flourish  t«i  all  eternity? 


40  GOOD    AND    KVII,. 

There  is  not,  in  mj  opinion,  a  more  pleasing  and  triumphant 
consideration  in  religion  than  thi.«,  of  the  perpetual  progress 
•which  tlie  soul  makes  towards  the  perfection  of  its  nature,  -with- 
out ever  arriving  at  a  period  in  it.  To  look  upon  the  soul  as 
going  on  from  strength  to  strength  ;  to  consider  that  she  is  to 
shine  forever  with  new  acessions  of  glory,  and  brighten  to  all 
eternity ;  that  slie  will  be  still  adding  virtue  to  virtue,  and 
knowledge  to  kno\>  ledge — earries  in  it  something  wonderfully 
airreable  to  that  andjition  which  is  natural  to  the  mind  of  man* 
Nay,  it  must  be  a  prospect  pleasing  to  God  himself,  to  see  his 
creation  for  ever  beautifying  in  his  eyes,  and  drawing  nearer 
and  nearer  to  liim,  by  greater  degrees  of  resemblance. 

Methinks  this  single  consideration,  of  the  progress  of  a  finite 
spirit  to  perfection,  will  be  sulTicicnt  to  extinguish  all  envg  in 
inferior  natures,  and  all  contempt  in  superior.  That  Cherubim, 
which  now  appears  as  a  god  to  a  human  soul,  knows  very  well 
that  the  period  will  come  about  in  eternity,  when  the  human 
soul  shall  be  as  perfect  as  he  himself  now  is  ;  nay,  when  she 
shall  look  down  upon  that  degree  of  perfection  as  much  as  she 
now  falls  short  of  it.  It  is  true  the  higher  nature  still  advances, 
and  by  that  means  preserves  his  distance  and  superiority  in  the 
scale  of  bcinc:;  but  he  knows  that  how  hi<i;h  soever  the  station 
is  of  which  he  stands  pcsscssed  at  present,  the  inferior  nature 
will  at  length  mount  up  to  it,  and  sliinc  forth  in  (he  simc  degree 
of  glory. 

With  what  astonishment  and  veneration  may  wc  look  Into  our 
own  souls,  where  there  arc  such  hidden  stores  of  virtue  and 
knowledge,  such  inexharfsted  sources  of  perfection  I  Wc  know' 
not  yet  what  we  shall  be,  nor  will  it  ever  enter  into  the  heart  ot 
man  to  conceive  the  glory  that  will  be  always  in  reserve  for  him; 
The  soul,  considered  with  its  Creator,  is  like  one  of  those  math- 
ematical lines  that  may  draw  nearer  to  another  for  all  eternity 
without  a  possibility  of  touching  it :  and  can  there  be  a  thought 
60  transporting,  as  to  consider  ourselves  in  these  perpetual  ap- 
l^roaches  to  Ilim,  who  is  not  only  the  standard  of  perfection, 
but  of  happiness  ?"' 


r.ooD  Axjj  eVil.  4f 

llcU<jioii  and  Iteligious    Worshipi 

IIeligiox  is  faith,  or  belief,  in  a  Superior  Power,  and  is  NE^ 
CESSARILY  developed  through  the  organization  of  the  human 
mind,  and,  therefore,  universal.  The  natural  exercise  of  the 
mental  faculties  suggests  a  higher  intelligent  Po^Ycr — the  •vvoil- 
derful  manifestations  of  Wisdom  around  us  renders  the  belief 
involuntary.  The  essential  idea  in  religion  is,  the  conception  of 
this  Higher  PoAvcr,  upon  the  development  of  which  depends  the 
various  exhibitions  of  religious  opinion. 

*''  Thus  from  the  consideration  of  ourselves,  and  what  we  in- 
fallibly find  in  our  own  constitutions,  our  reason  leads  us  to  the 
knowledge  of  this  certain  and  evident  truth,  that  there  is  an 
eternal,  moH  powerful,  and  most  knotcing  being  ;  which  whether 
any  one  will  plcas*i  to  call  GriD,  it  matters  noL  The  thing  is 
evident,  and  from  this  idea  duly  considered,  will  easily  be  de- 
ducted all  those  other  attributes,  which  we  ought  to  ascribe  tO' 
this  eternal  Being."* 

Associated  with  the  conception  of  Deity,  is  the  Divine  instinct,- 
inherent  in  man,  of  his  immoutality,  the  opinion  of  the  condi- 
tions of  which  also  depends  upon  the  development  of  mind. — 
The  transmigration  of  souls  was  the  Egyptian  and  early  Gre- 
cian conception  of  immortality.  The  re-absorption  of  all  Spir- 
its into  the  eternal  that  of  the  Hindoos.  The  Arabian  pictures 
to  his  imagination  endless  sensual  delight — the  Hebrew  longs 
to  tread  the  streets  of  the  Golden  City — the  Indian  dreams  of 
the  hunting  ground  of  the  Great  Spirit. 

In  the  various  degrees  of  intellectual  development,  as  illustra- 
ted in  MODES  of  lleligion,  there  is  a  principle  of  harmony  com- 
mon to  all — THE  WORSHIP  OF  A  HIGHER  PoWEU  !  In  the  ru- 
dest forms,  religious  worship,  is  simply  that  of  the  uninstructed 
mind — in  others,  the  march  of  rationality  and  cultivation,  is 
clearly  marked,  exhibiting  the  grades  of  mental  development. — 
All  are  founddl  in  TRUTH — this    God  h^|^   cst;iblished,    however 

^■'  Locke's  Esi;iv. 


42  GOOD   AND   EVII>. 

absurd  or  irrational  may  seem  the  expression  of  tliis  truth. — 
Nor  should  we  forget,  in  looking  down  upon  inferior  develop- 
ment, that  there  is  no  established  form  of  Kcligion  which  SAT- 
ISFIES the  human  mind.  The  most  highly  developed  of  all  pop- 
ular forms  is  subject  to  constant  mutation — progress — and  this 
must  ever  be  so  until  man  attains  a  sriiiiTUAL  conception  of  the 
Soul,  of  Immortality,  and  of  God. 

lleligious  "Worship,  as  illustrated  in  the  history  of  man  in  all 
ages  and  climes,  is  spontaneous — instinctive  ;  and,  its  mode,  de- 
pendent upon  the  causes  which  the  experience  of  the  races  has 
accumulated.  All  worship  a  Higher  Power  with  varied  men- 
tal development  and  conception  of  that  Power.  It  is  irrational 
to  quarrel  with  such  manifestations  of  a  natural  instinct,  suggest- 
ing at  once  a  common  source  and  seeking  a  common  object — the 

"  Father  of  all,  in  every  age 
In  every  clime  adored 
By  Saint  by  Savage  and  by  Sage 
Jehovah,  Jove,  or  Lord." 

Its  forms  of  expression  have  at  times  been  inhuman — at  oth- 
ers, narrow,  selfish  and  discordant.  But,  while  we  condemn  in 
the  one  case,  or  regret  in  the  other,  the  absence  of  higher  de- 
relopment,  we  must  not  forget  that  Religion  and  Religious 
Worship,  is  a  necessary  result  of  man's  nature  which  must 
find  expression  in  some  eorm  or  other.  Under,  therefore,  what- 
ever FORM  the  Living  God  is  worshipped,  while  the  duty  rests 
upon  us  and  upon  Society  to  do  all  we  can  towards  the  truthful 
development  of  such  forms — as  we  are  all  under  one  law — the 
great  law  of  progress — and  all  established  upon  one  truth — 
that  there  is  a  Higher  Power — we  should  feel  a  sympathy, 
whatever  the  form,  in  the  worship  of  that  Power. 

We  are  now  beginning  to  conceive  the  great  truth,  that  there 
is  but  One  God  ;  who  has  endowed  us  with  the  capacity,  and 
imposed  upon  us  the  dtity,  to  rightly  estimate  the  nature  and 
ORDER  of  the  Creation  of  which  we  constitute  a  part  so  promi- 
nent.    Every  step  in  the  progress  of  discovery  heightens  otir 


GQOD  AND  EVIL.  43 

admiration  of  His  Wisdom,  Goodness  and  Power.  We  find 
ourselves  upon  this 

"  Isthmus  of  a  middle  state, 

A  beino;  darklj  vrise  and  rudely  great," 

And  knovr  that  we  must  fulfil  the  conditions  of  such  a  state ; 
but,  also,  know,  that  this  state,  under  the  great  law  of  progress, 
can  only  be  one  from  which  we  are  passing  away  to  better  and 
higher  conditions  of  life. 

Such  conditions  are  not  wholly  beyond  our  conception  now. — 
If  we  reflect  that  mind — spirit — is  immaterial ;  that  it  sees  by 
conception;  that  the  objects  of  its  contemplation  and  enjoy- 
ment are  also  immaterial^  and,  that  beauty,  truth,  goodness, 
harmony,  aflTord  the  light  even  here  which  leads  us  on  to  a  con- 
ception of  their  source  ;  if  we  reflect  upon  this  we  may  appre- 
ciate trul}'-,  not  only  in  what  religion,  pure  and  undefilod,  is 
founded  and  how  it  must  forever  grow,  but  realize  more  clearly 
the  nature  of  the  existence  to  which  we  are  advancing.  The 
mind  of  man  has  progressively  developed  in  knowledge,  from 
cause  to  cause, — from  law  to  law — from  truth  to  truth,  and  it  is 
only  in  such  advancement  that  we  can  ultimately  approximate  a 
conception  of  the  Divine  Nature  and  of  the  immortal  condi- 
tions of  the  Soul. 

Reflect  upon  the  nature  of  the  Soul ;  a  mental  organization 
possessed,  at  once,  of  capacity^  ^;m?7;osc,  and  object,  fitting  it  for 
indefinite  expansion.  Conceive,  as  you  may,  the  ^Spiritual  na- 
ture of  God,  not  alone  in  the  formulas  of  holiday  worship,  but 
in  the  constant  observance  of  those  laws  impressed  upon  ma- 
terial, animal  and  moral  natures.*  Enlarge  your  knowledge  of 
those  laws  until  fixed  in  the  coiwiction  that  the  soul  of  man  is 
obeying,  in  the  order  of  nature,  a  great  law  of  endless  progres- 
sive development — and  you  will  stand  upon  vantage  ground, 
needing  no  aid  to  belief,  faith,  or  hope,  of  eternal  happiness. — 
We  may  thus  know  our  own  destiny — conceive  the  Wisdom  of 
the  Creation — and  exalt  our  conceptions  of  the  Creator. 

*  For  illustrations  of  the  Greatness,  Power  and  Goodness  of  God  n^ani- 
fest  in  Iho  Creation,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  Brlil^ewatev  Treatises. 


4il  "  GOOD    ANI»    i;\  II  . 

The  religious  instinct  of  the  soul  may  tlius  be  brought  in  har- 
mony Avith  all  nature.  Without  a  note  discordant,  -we  mav  then 
join  the  general  anthem  of  nature,  choosing  for' our  Temple  the 
Universe  of  God — giving  lIiM  no  corporeal  frame — but  clothed 
with  Infinite  Power,  Wisdom  and  Goodness,  we  may  see  Ilim 
animating  all  lower  life,  blessing  our  jiilirrimage  on  earth,  and 
laying,  broadly  and  deeply,  in  our  spiritual  nature,  the  founda- 
tion of  eternal  happiness.     Then  may 

"  Every  living  soul, 
Beneath  the  spacious  tcmplo  of  the  slcy, 
In  adoration  join  ;  and,  ardent  raise, 
One  general  song  I  To  him  ye  vocal  gale?, 
Breathe  soft,  whose  sjiirit  in  your  freshness  breathes  : 
Oh,  talk  of  Ilim  in  solitary  glooms  ; 
Where  o'er  the  rock,  the  scarcely  waving  pine 
rills  the  brown  shade  with  a  religious  awe 
And  3'e  whose* bolder  note  is  heard  afar 
Who  shake  the  astonished  world,  lift  high  to  Heaven 
Th'  impetuous  song  and  say  from  whom  you  rage. 
His  praise,  ye  brooks  attune,  ye  trembling  rills, 
And  let  me  catch  it  as  I  muse  along. 
Ye  headlong  torrents,  rapid  and  profound  ; 
Ye  softer  floods,  that  lead  the  humid  maze  ; 
Along  the  vale  ;  and  thou  majestic  main, 
A  secret  world  of  wonders  in  thyself, 
Sound  his  stupendous  praise,  Avhose  greater  voice 
Or  bids  you  roar  or  bids  your  roarings  fall. 
Soft  roll  your  incense,  herbs  and  fruits,  and  flowers, 
In  mingled  clouds  to  Ilim  whose  Sun  exhalts 
Whose  breath  perfumes  you,  and  whose  pencil  paints. 
Ye  forests  bend,  ye  harvests  Avave,  to  Him, 
Breathe  your  still  song  into  the  reaper's  heart 
As  home  he  goes  beneath  the  joyous  moon. 
Ye  that  keep  watch  in  Heaven,  as  earth  asleep 
Unconscious  lie::,  eff"use  your  mildest  beams. 
Ye  constellations,  ^vhilc  your  angels  strike 
Amid  the  spangled  sky,  the  silver  lyre. 


GOOD   AND   r;VIT,.  45 

Great  source  of  day  !  best  image  liere  below 
Of  thy  Creator ;  ever  pouring  wide 
From  world  to  world,  tlic  vital  ocean  round ; 
On  nature  write  with  every  beam  his  praise. 
The  thunder  rolls  :  be  hush'd  the  prostrate  world 
AVhile  cloud  to  cloud  returns  the  solemn  liymn. 
Bleat  out  afresh  ye  hills :   ye  mossy  rocks, 
Retain  the  sound  :   the  broad  responsive  low 
Ye  vallies  raise ;  for  the  Cfreat  Sliephcrd  Reigns  : 
And  his  unsuffering  Kingdom  yet  will  come. 
Ye  woodlands  all  awake  :  a  boundless  song 
Burst  from  the  groves  :  and  when  the  restless  day, 
Expiring,  lays  the  warbling  world  asleep, 
Sweetest  of  birds,  sweet  Philomela  charm 
The  listening  shades  and  teach  the  night  his  praise. 
Ye  Chief,  for  whom  the  whole  Creation  smiles, 
At  once  the  head  and  heart,  and  tongue  of  all. 
Crown  the  great  hymn  :  in  swarming  cities  vast. 
Assembled  men,  to  the  deep  organ  join 
The  long  resoundipg  voice,  oft  breaking  clear 
At  solemn  pauses,  through  the  swelling  base 
And,  as  each  mingling  flame  increases  each, 
In  one  united  ardor  rise  to  Heaven. 
Or,  if  you  rather  choose  the  rural  shade. 
And  find  a  fane  in  every  secret  grove. 
There  let  the  Shepherd's  flute,  the  Virgin's  lay. 
The  prompting  seraph,  and  the  poet's  lyre 
Still  sing  the  God  of  seasons,  as  they  roll. 
For  me,  when  I  forget  the  darling  theme 
Whether  the  blossom  blows,  the  summer  ray 
Russets  the  plain_,  inspiring  autimm  gleams. 
Or  winter  rises  in  the  blackening  east ; 
Be  my  tongue  mute,  my  fancy  paint  no  more, 
And  dead  to  joy,  forget  my  heart  to  beat. 
Should  fate  command  me  to  the  farthest  verge 
Of  the  green  earth,  to  distant  barbarous  climes, 
Rivers  unknown  to  song ;  where  first  the  Sun 
■Gilds  Indian  Mountains,  or  his  setting  beam. 


46  GOOD  AND  EVIL. 

Flames  on  the  Atlantic  islo8  ;  'tis  nought  to  mc 
Since  God  is  ever  present,  ever  felt, 
In  the  void  waste,  as  in  the  city  full, 
And  where  lie  vital  breathes,  there  must  be  joy. 
When  even  at  last  the  solemn  hour  shall  come, 
And  wing  my  mystic  flight  to  future  woilds, 
I  cheerful  will  obey  :    tlieu  with  new  powers, 
Will  rising  wonders  sing  :  I  cannot  go 
AVhere  Universal  Love  not  smiles  around, 
Sustaining  all  yon  orbs,  and  all  their  suns 
From  iecming  ill  still  educing  good 
And  better  thence  again  and  better  still, 
In  Infinite  Puoguession," 

Let  it  not  be  said  that  a  bad  man  will  be  made  worse  by  the 
belief  that  the  time  is  approaching  when  he  will  cease  to  be  gov- 
erned by  brutal  instincts  ;  when  he  will  leave  his  sensual  nature 
in  the  grave  with  his  body  and  his  soul  will  be  liberated  to  a 
destiny  of  spiritual  puritrj  and  endless  spiritual  growth.  A 
•wicked  man  might  naturally  seek  the  society  of  the  imagined 
lost;  but,  if  you  awaken  in  his  mind  conviction  that  his  associa- 
tions must  e'er  be  with  the  ^mre  and  7w/y,  when  the  fitful  fever 
of  this  life  is  over,  his  Soul  here  will  assert  its  supremacy  over 
his  sensual  nature,  and  he  will  learn  to  pray — 

"Of  that  spirit  who  lighted  the  flame 


That  pleasure  no  more  might  its  purity  dim  ; 

And  that  sullied  but  little  or  brightly  the  same 

He  migV"  give  back  the  gem  he  had  borrowed  from  Ilim." 

The  Soul  may  pass  into  eternity,  not  sullied, — that  is  impossi- 
ble:— clouds  may  obscure  but  cannot  sully  the  sun's  rays  ; — but, 
undeveloped — without  growth,  and  it  is  possibly,  an  inferiority 
keenly  felt,  to  pass  into  the  spiritual  state  and  to  find  that  until 
then  the  higher  nature — the  Soul — had  never  awakened  to  spir- 


GOOD  AND  EVIL.  47 

itual  life.     Still,  though  the  past  be  dead  the  future  is  forever 
before  us: 

"  Reproach  not  thine  own  soul,  but  know  thyself, 

Nor  hate  another's  crime,  nor  loathe  thine  own  ; 

It  is  the  dark  idolatry  of  self 

Which,  when  our  thoughts  and  actions  once  are  gone, 

Demands  that  man  should  weep,  and  bleed  and  groan  ; 

0  vacant  expiation  !  be  at  rest. — 

The  past  is  death's  the  future  is  thine  own  ; 

And  love  and  joy  can  make  the  foulest  breast 

A  paradise  of  flowers,  where  peace  might  build  her  nest." 

Yes,  teach  the  slave  of  passion  that  the  hour  for  his  redemp- 
tion approaches — that  the  animal  instincts  under  which  he  lives 
must  die  ;  and  that  his  higher  nature  alone  can  live  : 

"  Tread  Pride's  golden  palaces, 


Through  Penury's  roofless  huts  and  squallid  cells, 

Descend,  where'er  in  aljoctness 

Woman  with  some  vile  slave  her  tyrant  dwells, 

And  pour  for  the  despairing,  from  the  chrystal  wells 

Of  the  deep  spirit,  reason's  mighty  lore. 

And  power  shall  then  abound,  and  hope  arise  once  more." 

We  often  speak  of  the  Justice  of  God  without  reflecting  that 
His  Justice  is  not  our  Justice.  With  Him  it  must  be_  perfect 
Righteousness  ;  and  when  we  undertake  to  judge  what  that  right- 
eousness is  or  should  be,  with  regard  to  ourselves,  we  most  ra- 
tionally conclude  that  it  lies  not  m  punishment  but  in  the^^rmct- 
ple  of  compensation. 

'The  chastened  will 


.A.  H\^     V -U. Uk?  I..  V  1.1.^1^1.        Tt  Jill. 

Of  virtue  sees  that  justice  is  the  light 

Of  love,  and  not  revenge,  and  terror  and  despite." 

No  other  conclusion  is  in  accordance  ^vith  the  progressive  or- 
der of  the  creation.  Besides,  when  we  reflect  that  the  develop- 
ment of  mind  is  controlled  by  the  conditions  of  life,  and  that  in 
the  most  favorable  conditions,  arc  many  causes  of  misdirection 


43  GOOD   A.Vl)   KVll,. 

nnd  miscn%  over  wlilcli  wc  have  no  control: — that  Goil  controls 
these  conditions  and  the  mind  upon  which  they  operate,  with  it 
view  to  the  advancin;/  order  of  the  creation,  we  look  with  assur*- 
ance  to  our  liberation  from  thuse  conditions  as  to  the  j^'^^'iod  of 
our  punishment — or  rather  as  the  end  of  a  less  perfect  state  of 
being. 

"  JT(?  has  80  ordered  tilings  on  purpose,"  said  Wollaston, 
'•that  from  the  various  conipositions  of  men's  circutustauces  with 
♦he  natural  effects  of  their  virtues  and  vices,  and  the  inequalities 
arising  thence,  they  jnight  !<cc  the  necessity  and  ccrtalntij  of  an- 
other state. 

If  tlicre  is  no  other  beside  tire  present  being,  i\\e  general  and 
usual  state  of  mankind  is  scarce  consistent  with  the  idea  of  a 
reasonable  cause.  Let  us  consider  a  lictle.  Not  to  mention 
what  we  must  suffer  from  the  very  settlement  and  condition  of 
this  world  br  hunger,  thirst,  heat,  cold,  and  indispositions;  like 
leaves  one  generation  drops,  and  another  springs  up,  to  fall  again 
and  bfc  forgotten.  As  we  come  into  the  world  with  the  labor  of 
our  Mothers,  we  soon  go  out  of  it  with  our  own.  Childhood  and 
youth  are  much  of  them  lost  in  insensibility  and  trifling,  vanity 
and  rudeness;  obnoxious  to  many  pains  and -accidents ;  and, 
when  they  are  spent  in  the  best  manner,  arc  attended  with  labor 
nnd  discipline.  When  we  reach  that  stage  of  life  which  usually 
takes  us  from  our  nearest  relations,  and  brings  us  out  into  the 
world,  with  Avhat  difficulty  are  proper  employments  and  stations 
found  for  us  ?  When  we  are  got  o^^?,  and  left  to  scramble  for 
ourselves,  how  many  hardships  and  tricks  are  put  upon  us,  be- 
fore we  get  the  sag  icity  and  dexterity  to  save  ourselves  ?  How 
many  chances  do  we  stand  ?  IIow  troublesome  is  business  made 
by  unreasonableness,  ill  nature  or  trilling  and  want  of  punctu- 
ality in  the  persons  with  whom  we  deal  ?  lIow  do  wc  find  our- 
selves instantly  surrounded  with  snares  from  designing  men, 
knaves,  enemies,  opposite  interests,  factions,  and  many  times 
from  a  mischievous  ]»rccd,  whose  childish  or  diabolical  humor 
seeks  pleasure  in  the  uneasiness  of  other  people  ?  Even  in 
many  of  those  oijoyments,  yyhicli  men  principally  propose  to 
themselves,  they  are  greatly  disappointed^  and  experience  shews. 


GOOD  AXD  EVIL.  tl 

how  unlike  they  are  to  the  antecedent  images  of  them;  They 
are  commonly  mixt :  the  apparatus  to  most  of  them  is  too  ope- 
rose  :  the  compktion  of  them  seMom  depends  upon  ourselves 
alone,  but  upon  a  concurrence  of  things,  which  rarely  hit  all 
right :  they  are  generally  not  only  less  in  practice,  than  in  the- 
ory, but  die  almost  as  seen  as  they  are  :  and  perhaps  they  en- 
tail upon  us  a  tax  to  be  paid  after  they  are  gone.  To  go  oa 
Vrith  thie  history  of  human  life:  the  affairs  go  prosperously  yet 
still  perhaps  a  family  is  increasing  and  with  it  new  cccasicns  of 
tolicitude  are  introduced,  accompanied  with  many  fears  and 
tender  apprehensions.  At  length,  if  a  man,  tlirough  many  cares 
iaad  toils  and  various  adventures^  arrives  at  old  age,  then  he 
feels  most  commonly  his  pressures  rather  increased  than  dimin- 
ished, and  himself  less  able  to  support  them.  The  business  he 
has  to  do  grows  urgent  upon  him,  and  calls  for  dispatch :  most 
of  his  faculties  and  active  powers  begin  now  to  fail  him  apace: 
relation's  and  friends,  who  might  be  helpful  to  him  (and  among 
them  perhaps  the  dear  comfort  of  all  iiis  joys,  and  all  his  cares) 
leave  him,  never  to  return  more:  wants  and  paitis  all  the 
while  are  multiplying  up  n  him  :  and  under  this  additional  load 
he  comes  melanclioly  behind,  tottering,  and  bending  towards 
the  earth ;  till  he  either  stumbles  upon  something-,  which  tiirows 
him  into  the  grave,  or  fainting,  fills  of  himself.  And  must  he 
<emi  here  ^  Is  this  the  period  of  his  being.  !s  this  all?  Did 
he  come  into  the  world  only  to  make  his  way  through  the  press, 
amidst  manyJustlings  and  hard  struggles  with  at  best  only  a  few 
deceitful,  little,  fugatious  pleasures  int^erspersed,  and  so  go  out 
of  it  again?  Can  this  be  an  end  worthy  of  a  First  Cause  per- 
f'i^tly  reas-'^nahle  ?  Would  even  any  man>^  of  common  sense  and 
good  nature,  send  another  upon  a  difficult  journey,  in  which,, 
tho'  he  might  perhaps  now  and  then  meet  with  a  little  smooth 
way.  get  an  interval  for  rest  and  contemplation,  or  be  flattered 
with  some  verdures  and  the  smiles  of  a  few  daisies  on  the  banks 
of  the  road ;  yet  upon  the  whole  he  must  travel  through  much 
dirt,  take  many  wearisome  steps,  be  continually  enquiring  afier 
some  clew  or  directiuns  to  carry  liim  through  the  turnings  and 
itttricacies  of  it,  bepuzzled  how  to  get  a  competent  »'iVi^»<'m>7»  and 


M  GOOD    XSD    tV'lI.. 

paj  his  reckonings,  ever  an  anon  be  in  danger  of  being  lost  in 
deep-waters,  and  beside  forced  all  the  ^vhile  to  fence  against 
•weather,  accidents  and  cruel  robbers  "who  are  everywhere  lying 
in  wait  for  him  :  I  say,  would  any  one  send  a  man  upon  8uch  a 
journey  as  this,  onI>/  that  the  man  might  faint  and  expire  at  Ihe 
end  of  it,  and  all  his  thoughts  perish  :  that  is,  either  for  7io  end 
at  all,  or  for  the  jninishnn'iit  of  one,  whom  1  suppose  never  to 
have  hurt  him,  nor  even  to  have  been  capable  of  hurting  him  ? — 
And  now  can  we  impute  to  God  that,  which  is  below  the  com- 
mon size  of  men. 

But  here,  the  case,  as  I  have  put  it,  only  respects  them,  who 
may  be  reckoned    among  the    7nore    fortunate    passengers ;  and 
for  oncy  that  makes  his  voyage  so  well,  thousands  are  tossed  in 
tempests  and  lost.    How  many  never  attain  any  comfortable  set- 
tlement in  the  world  ?    IIow  many  fail,  after  thoy  have  attained 
it,  by  various   misfortunes  ?     What    melancholy,    what   distrac- 
tions are  caused  in    families,  by   inhuman   or  vicious   husbands, 
false  or  peevish  wives,  refractory  or   unhappy   children  ;  and,  if 
they  are  otherwise,  if  they  are  good,  what  sorrow  by  the  loss  of 
them  ?     How  many  are  forced  by  necessity  upon  drudging  and 
very  shocking  empluymcnts.     How  many  subsist  upon  begging, 
borrowing  and  other  shifts,  nor  can   do  otherwise  ?     How  many 
meet  with  sad  accidents,  or  fall   into  deplorable   diseases  ?     Are 
not  all  companies,  and  the  very  streets  filled  w  ith  complaints,  and 
grievances  and    doleful   stories  'i     I  verily   believe   that  a  great 
part  of  mankind  may  ascribe  their  deaths  to  wantlmd  dejection. 
Seriously,  the  presf/j if  state   of  mankind  is    unaccountable,  if  it 
has  not  some  connection  with  another,   and  be  not  as  it  were,  the 
porch  and  entry  to  it," 

There  can  be  no  rational  doubt  of  a  "  connection"  bc*tween 
this  state  of  man  and  "a  future  life;"  whether  we  contemplate 
this  state  as  delineated  in  the  foregoing  quotation  ;  ur  whethei* 
■we  reflect  upon  the  capacity  of  the  human  mind  ;  or,  consider 
the  PUOGKEPSIVE  ORDER  of  the  creation  ;  we  are  instructed  that 
the  present  life  is,  as  it  were  "the  porcli  and  entry"  to  another. 
"Whether  that  life  is  designed  to  compensate  for  the  miseries  of 
this,  ie  best  determined  1>y  considering  vthether  the  nature  of  man 


GOOD   AND  EVIL.  El 

is  Trholly  subordinate  to  the  laws  of  the  Creation  or  whether  he  is, 
IN  ANY  SKNSE,  frce  in  thought  or  action,  and,  independent  of 
those  Iaw3,  This  will  be  discussed  in  the  cha2:)ter  on  the  Moral 
Power  of  Man. 

3Io'raI   Dcnionstratwn.  *> 

To  conclude.  If  the  Physical  Order  of  the  Creation  has 
been  demonstrably  progressive  and  preparatory  to  the  sup- 
port of  human  life  : — If  the  history  of  civilization  tcachca 
that  this  principle  of  progress  is  moral  as  well  as  physical  and  has 
had  for  its  great  object  the  DEVELOPMENT  oF  mind  :  if  it  i« 
equally  demonstrable  that  such  a  principle  or  LAW  must  con- 
tinue its  operation,  while  the  mind  is  capable  of  further  develop- 
ment ;  and,  if  the  intellectual  nature  of  man  is  fitted,  organized 
for  indefinite  expansion  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  then  the 
conclusion  is  demonstrated — "  the  conditions  of  this  life  other- 
wise unaccountable"  are  explained,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  im- 
mortality of  the  soul  is  firmly  based  upon  the  eternal  order  of 
nature. 

"When  we  reflect  upon  the  grand  triumphs  of  Natural  Theolo- 
gy— the  wonderful  development  of  popular  Religion,  in  its  con- 
tinual advancement  under  established  forms,  and  discover  the 
great  truth  that  all  opinions  are  advancing  to  the  recognition  of 
that  SUPREME  law  which  harmonizes  all  and  gives  unquestion- 
ing assurance  of  immortal  happiness  to  man,  We  give,  Avithout 
reservation,  full,  free  and  joyous,  our  gratitude  to  the  Author 
of  our  being. 


THE  MORAL   POWER  OF  MAN. 


CILVrTER  II. 


Physically  and  morally,  man  is  organized  for  ITj^PMSESS,  and 
evil  is  simply  a  viohition  of  the  laws  of  liis  ovganiiution  an.l  it 
CMn  onlv  be  from  j>l>y»ic:il  disorder,  or  social  perversion,  tliat  he 
fails  to  attain  the  object  of  his  creation.  His  desiies,  prop  nsi- 
ties,  passions,  all  point  to  happiness  and  righteousness,  and  the 
end  ot  the  Organization  is  defeated  when  desire — uncontrolled 
by  enlightened  reason — in  violation  of  right,  attains  gratifica- 
tion. In  a  savage  state  the  pa>sions  are  prolific  of  evil  ;  and, 
in  Civilizcd  life  one  who  commits  evil  is  a  s.ivage  to  that  e.xtetit 
that  is  to  say,  irrational.  For,  though  be  may  ordinarily  dis- 
play intelligence — though  he  may  know  he  is  violating  moral 
]aw — doing  wrong — we  know,  that  when  he  does  wrong  blind 
passion  has  been  stronger  than  reason. 

"  In  some  cases,"  says  Dr.  Reid,  "  a  stronger  impulse  of 
appetite  or  passion  may  oppose  a  weaker.  Here  also  there  may 
be  determination  and  action  without  jmlgment. 

Sometimes,  however,  there  is  a  cahn  in  the  mind  from  the 
gales  of  passion  or  appetite,  and  the  man  is  left  to  work  his  way, 
in  the  voyige  of  life,  without  those  impulses  whidi  they  give. — 
Then  he  calmly  weighs  goods  and  evils  which  are  at  too  great  a 
disUince  to  excite  any  passion.  Ho  judges  for  himself  as  he 
would  for  another  in  his  situition  aud  the<lcterin'nation  is  whol- 
ly imputable  to  the  man,  and  not  in  any  degree  to  his  passion." 

Tlie  impulses  of  pission  or  desire  alone  produce  evil  action, 
ani  w'.iero  such  act  on  s  pro  bice  1,  the  relitioii  ii  at  once  traced 
to  the  passion  or  desire.  There  may  be  calms  in  the  mind  from 
gaU$  of  pusiiou  or  de^ae ;  but,  it  is*  uev«r  fr««  from  their  coutrol. 


THE  MORAL   POWKR  OF  MAX.  19 

Sensualists  may  appreciate  this  and  the  most  higlily  developed, 
unimpassi oned,  intellect,  will  recognize,  that  it  is  animated, 
moved,  by  desire.  The  strength  of  passi  n,  desire,  reason,  are 
alike  dependent  upon  development,  and  this,  upon  j  h  vsical,  so- 
cial and  moral  condition.  Whatever  man  docs,  therefore,  of 
evil,  should  be  imputed  to  these  conditions. 

"It  is  easy"  says  Locke  "  to  give  an  account  how  it  comes 
to  pass,  that  the  ugh  all  men  desire  happiness,  yet  their  wills 
carry  them  so  contrarily,  and  consequently  some  of  them  to 
what  is  evil.  And  to  this  I  say,  tliat  the  various  and  contrary 
choices  that  men  innke  in  the  world,  do  not  argue  thac  tliov  do 
not  all  pursue  good,  l)ut  that  the  same  thing  is  not  good  to  every 
man  alike.  This  vaiicty  of  pursuits  siiows,  t  lat  every  one 
does  not  place  his  happiness  in  the  same  thing,  or  choose  the 
sa.Tie  way  to  it.  Were  all  the  concerns  of  man  terminated  in 
this  life,  wliy  one  follows  stud^^  ajid  knowleilgp,  and  another 
hawking  and  hunting:  why  one  chose  luxury  and  debauchery, 
and  another  sobriety  and  riches  ;  would  not  be,  because  every 
one  of  these  did  not  aim  at  his  own  happ'ness,  but  because  their 
happiness  was  placed  in  different  things." 

It  is  matter  for  admiring  wonder  tliat  our  race  began  under 
the  almost  absolute  control  of  tlic  passions — of  our  animal  na- 
ture— and  that  yet,  through  the  long  ages,  with  all  their  crime 
and  carnage,  man  has  stoa-  ,ly  progressed  in  higher  mental  de- 
velopment.   Lhe  CAUSE  of  this  is  briefly  explained  by  Macaiiley  : 

"  In  every  experimental  scifnce  there  is  a  tendency  towards 
perfection.  In  every  human  being  there  is  a  wish  to  ameliorate 
his  own  condition.  These  two  princi,des  sulBce,  even  when 
counteractea  by  great  public  cahimities  and  by  bad  institutions, 
to  carry  civilization  forward.  Ko  ordinary  misfortune,  no  ordi- 
nary misgovernmont,  will  do  so  much  to  make  a  nation  wretch- 
ed, as  the  constant  progress  of  physical  knowledge,  and  the 
constant  effort  of  every  man  to  better  himself,  will  do  to  make 
a  nation  pnsperous." 

This  tendency  and  this  impulse  have  developed  science,  art 
and  philosophy — elevated  opinion — improved  manners  and  cu»- 


■'*  THE  M::^T1AI.  rOWER  OF  MAX. 

toms — .iilvnncoJ  all  the  elements  of  civilization,  from  tlie  twi- 
light of  liistory  extending  their  influences  over  mental  develop- 
ment; and  still  this  tendenoy  and  impulse  obey  with  increasin<r 
momentum,  the  supreme  law  which  urges  min  onward  in  his 
destiny.  The .  intellectual  nature  of  man  has  thus  been  made 
steadily  to  advance  its  supremacy  over  his  animal  nature,  and, 
as  the  conditions  of  life  are  ameliorated  by  the  progress  of 
knowledge,  Avill  more  and  more  reduce  his  lower  nature  to  rational 
subjection.  The  time  must  come,  when  "His  Will,"  bettor  un- 
derstood than  now,  will  prevail  among  men.  But,  the  time  is  not 
yet.  In  the  highest  condition  of  civilization,  man  is  still  subjected 
to  influences  which  phoduck  evil  action — not  because  he  is  organi- 
zed for  evil — but  because  he  is  organized  with  animal  desires  and 
passions  which  seek  gratification  and  which  at  times  reach  it, 
under  wrong  physical,  moral  or  social  influences. 

When  a  nation  has  reached  a  certain  stage  of  civilization  and 
becomes  involved  in  revolution  or  ovorthro^v;  when  an  individ- 
ual, as  Alexander,  Cnjsar  or  Kapolcon,  devastates  the  earth;  when 
criminals  of  less  enormity,  on  a  more  limited  theatre,  are  sub- 
jected to  irrational  development  of  passion  ;  whether  such  dis- 
ast-cr  and  perversion  of  mind  retards  social  and  moral  progiesiS 
has  been  answered  by  Alison : 

"Provision  is  made  both  for  the  righteous  retribution  of  nations 
and  the  gciuM-al  advancement  of  the  species ;  and  it  is  evident 
that  ay1i:I  ■  /!i;il  wickedness  or  strenuous  performance  of  duty 
sgldom  liiil.  even  in  this  Avorld,  to  Avork  out  their  appropi-iate 
reward  or  punishment,  the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe 
overrides  both  to  the  ultimate  good  at  once  of  the  individual, 
the  nation,  and  the  species  ;  and  builds  up  alike  from  the  wis- 
dom and  folly,  the  virtues  and  vices,  the  greatness  and  weakness 
of  men,  amid  the  chastisement  and  rcAvard,  the  elevation  and  de- 
struction of  nations,  the  mighty  fabric  of  general  and  progres- 
sive improvement." 

But  Ave  are  concerned  now  Avith  the  perversion  itself — to  as- 
certain Avhether  it  is  the  result  of  necessity,  or,  free-agency  or 
the  cftcct  of  causes  Avhich  antedate  our  being,  and  which  yet,  do 
not  ncceesarily  oxiit. 


TIIK  MORAL  POWER  OF   MAN'.  55 

It  is  admitted  that  the  design  and  proper  end  of  the  human 
organization  physical  and  mental,  is  happiness.  Tlic  question 
is,  why  does  it  fail  to  attain,  in  any  instance,  tlic  ohjcrt  of  its 
organization — ■\vhy  is  there  such  diversity  in  pursuit  of  a  com- 
mon object  ■when  all  are  mo^■ed  by  a  common  nature  ? 

Observe,  in  a  rich  alluvial  basin,  the  white  oak,  in  perfect  de- 
velopment, exhibiting  its  grand  proportions  to  the  admiring  gazo 
of  man.  See  an  individual  of  th^  same  species  on  some  barren 
mountain  range,  a  gnarled,  deformed  and  fruitless  shrub.  These 
are  plants  having  a  common  organization  and  a  purpose  or  de- 
sign in  common.  Are  we  at  a  loss  to  discover  the  causes  of  the 
diversity  of  development  ? 

We  cannot  condemn  the  shrub  for  its  deformity.  If  it  has 
failed  to  attain  proper  development  and  to  bring  forth  its  proper 
fruit,  it  results  from  some  organic  derangement  or  from  external 
influences.  The  result  is  not  imputable  to  the  tree — though  it 
may  be  to  adverse  conditions  of  the  soil,  and  its  surroundings 
or  to  some  injury  the  tree  has  received.  In  like  manner  we 
should  learn  to  estimate  the  development  of  man,  also  subject 
to.diversity  of  condition,  and  to  adjudge  his  works.  These  are 
sometimes  good — sometimes  bad — but  the  same  man  produces 
both  ;  that  is  to  say,  all  arc  alike  organized,  and  the  difference 
in  action  is  the  result  of  difference  in  development  and  not  in 
difference  of  organization.  If  the  act  is  bad  we  can  only  con- 
clude that  the  man  has  been  badly  developed  or  perverted — not 
that  he  is  organically  bad; — that  would  be  an  imputaljon  of  evil 
design  to  God. 

As  in  the  vegetable  and  animal  world,  so  the  development  of 
man  is  wholly  subordinate  to  the  conditions  of  life.  These  con- 
ditions, as  they  affect  human  development,  are  physical,  social 
and  moral.  These  antedate  our  being  and  conti'ol  our  dcvelop- 
mentvand  operating,  as  they  do,  with  so  great  diversity,  produce 
all  tliC  varieties  of  human  character. 

Moral  freedom  pre-supposes  spiritual  perfection.  The  mind 
to  be  free  in  its  choice,  must  know  the  past,  the  present  and 
the  future — must  be  independent  of  all  extraneous  influence — 
must  be  infinite  in  Power  and  Wisdom.     God  alone  is  FiiEii. — • 


49  Hue  Moral  power  of  man. 

Ail  else  is  sunORDiNATE,  under  tlie  law  of  prof^rcss,  to  the  pViy- 
Bical,  social  and  moral  conditions  of  the  creation.  Man,  subject 
to  tl)C  law  of  progress,  which  ever  carries  him  onward  and  up- 
ward, is  physically  and  morally,  the  creature  of  pre-existing 
causes.  To  the  Past  he  is  indebted  for  his  Laws,  Government, 
iReligion,  Arts,  Sciences,  Manners,  Customs — to  all  th.at  lifts 
him  above  the  savage,  and  Accident  controls  his  allotment  of 
these  benefits.  Accident  not  only  gives  him  Existence — Race 
— Country;  but,  allots  to  each  his  portion  of  the  bknefits 
that  face  an<l  country  have  preserved.  It  ushers  him  into  life 
through  aflluence  or  poverty.  It  surrounds  him  with  stimulants 
to  high  mental  and  moral  development,  or,  to  beastly  passion. 
It  gives  a  perfect  or  an  imperfect  organization.  It  leaves  \uoi 
full  of  passion,  to  mental  blindness  and  moral  obliquity  ;  or, 
t^ith  passion  all  chastened,  to  mental  illumination. 

''Natural  Theology,"  says  Dr.  Paley,  '' has  ever  been  press- 
ed with  this  question  :  Wh^'  under  the  regency  of  the  supreme 
and  benevolent  Will,  should  there  be  in  the  world,  so  much  as 
there  is,  of  the  appear  nice  of  chance  .- 

The  question  in  its  whole  compass  lies  beyond  our  reacli :  but 
there  are  not  wanting,  as  in  the  orrgin  of  evil  answers  which 
seem  to  have  considerable  weight. 

It  is  only  to  think  of  the  Dcity^  to  y>'  rceive  wliat  variety  of 
objects,  what  distance  of  time,  what  extent  of  space  and  action^ 
his  counsels  may,  or  rather  must,  comprehend.  Can  it  be  won-^ 
dered  at,  that,  ol  the  purposes  wliich  Uwell  in  such  a  mind  as 
this,  so  small  a  part  should  be  known  to  us?  It  is  only  neces-' 
eary,  therefore,  to  bear  in  thought,  that  in  projjortion  to  the  in- 
adequateness  of  our  information  will  be  the  quantity  in  the 
world  of  apparent  chance. 

Human  life  is  uncertain.  Disease,  the  forerunner  of  death 
attacks  under  the  appearance  of  chance.  Again;  there  are 
strong  intelligible  reasons  why  there  should  exist  in  human  so- 
ciety great  disparity  of  wealth  and  station;  not  only  as  these 
things  are  acquiicd  in  different  degrees,  but  at  the  first  setting 
out  of  life.  In  order  to  answer  the  various  demands  of  civil 
life,  there  ought  to  be  amongst  the   members  of  every  civil  so- 


ciety  a  (riverslty  of  education,  ivhich  can  only  belong  to  an  orv- 
ginal  divem'tt/  cf  circumstances.  As  this  sort  of  disparity^ 
(which  ought  to  take  place  from  the  beginning  of  life^)  be  pre'- 
vious  to  the. merit  "»!■  demerit  of  the  persons  upon  whom  it  falls^ 
can  it  be  better  disposed  of  than  by  chance  ?  Parentage  is  that 
sort  of  chance  ;  yet  it  is  the  commanding  circumstance  which 
in  general  firgs  each  Qian's  place  in  civil  life,  along  with  every 
thing  which  pertains  to  its  distinctions. 

It  appears  to  be  also  true,  that  the  exigencies  of  s-ocial  life 
call  not  only  for  y.n  original  diversity  of  external  circumstances 
but  for  a  mixture  of  different  faculties,  tastes  and  tempers. — ' 
Activity  and  contemplation,  restlessness  and  quiet,  courage  and 
timidity.)  ambition  and  ontcntcducss.,  not  to  say  evtn  indolence 
and  dullness,  arc  wanted  in  the  world,  all  conduce  to  the  well 
going  on  of  human  affairs.  Now,  since  those  characters  require. 
for  their  found;. lion,  different  original  talents,  different  disposi' 
tions,  perhaps  also,  different  bodily  constitutions ;  and  &ince> 
likewise,  it  is  apparently  expedient,  that  i\\Qy  he  promiscuously 
scattered  amongst  the  different  classes  of  society:  can  the  distri- 
bution of  tahnts,  dispositionSy  and  the  conHtitutions  upon  which 
they  depend.,  be  better  made  than  by  chance  ?" 

When,  in  the  physical  world,  some  great  violence  interrupts 
for  the  tittc  the  ordinary  course  of  nature,  we  do  not  call  it  an 
accident.  It  is  an  eftect,  we  conceive,  incidental  to,  or,  in  ac- 
cordance with  some  general  law.  With  similar  faith  we  shou'^ 
assume  that  njoral  evil  is  subordinate  to  the  progress  and  devel- 
opment of  God's  moral  world,  and  that  the  causes  producing  it 
are  not  unknown  to  Him.  ]3ut,  to  us,  they  arc  unknown,  or, 
beyond  our  control.  The  Present  is  to  man,  an  exhibition  of 
EFFECTS,  the  causes  of  which  antedate  his  own  existence  and 
arise  frim  thk  very  xature  of  the  Creation.  lie  is  a  prom- 
inent agent  in  the  creation  and  fills  the  part  which  physical,  so- 
cial and  moral  condition  assigns  him.  His  character,  in  the 
brief  period  of  human  existence,  may  undergo  extreme  changes: 
but  these  changes  are  always  effects  of  the  variations  in  tlip 
conditions  of  life.  These  hold  the  mind  subordinate  and  it  can 
only  desire,  hope  cr    reason,  in    accordance    with  them.     They 

S 


H  THE   MOBAL  TOWER   OF  MAX. 

are  ever  clKinglug — changes  Avliich  illustrate  physical  progress 
and  the  growth  of  civilization  ;  which,  operating  through  physi- 
cal nature,  have,  in  time,  altered  the  conditions  of  the  earth's 
Burfaee  as  a  scene  of  organized  existence,  and  operating  through 
the  mind  of  man.  has  developed  customs  and  opinions,  art,  sci- 
ence, religion  and  philosophy. 

The  order  of  nature  is  progressive,  and  physical,  and  social 
condition  obey,  necessarily,  the  j)aramount  law.  In  both,  the 
tendency  to  change,  whether  immediately  good  or  evil,  has  for 
its  ultimate  purpose,  the  improvement  of  the  conditions  of  life. 
War,  pestilence  and  famine  ;  the  decay  of  Empires  and  popular 
corruption,  lead  unerringly  to  a  period  of  improvement  and 
mental  elevation. 

To  these  conditions,  ever  varying,  "wc  must  look  for  an  ex- 
planation of  the  causes  which  determine  the  results  in  liumar* 
development,  as  it  is  these  which 

"Pour  fierce  ambition  in  a  Ciesar's  mind 

Or,  turn  young  Amnion  loose  to  scourge  mankind;" 

Or,  start  into  Kfe  far  in  advance  of  their  age,  a  Bacon  or  s 
Ne^'ton,  to  give  impetus  to  human  progress ;  or  hasten  the  faJl 
of  a  declining  empire  and  speed  a  piirer  race^  to  intellectttal  as- 
cendancy. 

The  Greeks  ascribed  the  guidance  of  hunjan  affairs  to  Desti- 
ny. The  Romans  worshipped  FoiiTUXA  who  blindly  dispensed 
the  fortunes  of  life.  Partial  truth  lies  in  each  conception. — 
Necessity  connects  cause  and  ej^'ect  and  human  development  ne- 
eessarilff  results  from  antecedent  causes.  But,  whei'e  evil  exists 
is  such  development,  the  causes  do  not  exist  in  the  design  of 
Deity,  but  in  defective  physical  or  social  condition,  and  are  re- 
BQOveabie,  and  h^ence,  do  not  ncce-^^sarilij  exist.  Subject  as  we 
are  to  these  conditions,  it  is  mere  chaace  or  fortune,  which  allots 
to  you  the  highest  physical  and  social  condition,  or  to  me  tlxr 
lovrest ;  which  gives  to  you  healthy  progenitois  and  a  healthy 
social  condition  and  to  me  the  reverse. 

Government  authorizes  the  sale  and  use  of  intoxicating  li- 
quors and  social  opinion  approves  it.  Whien  the  drunkard  or 
vrimiaal  is  (levrlopri?,  it  is  a  necessity — it  is  predestination  ;  be-- 


THE  MORAL   POWKR  OF   MAX.  5t 

CWise  the  eftect  of  adequate  causes.  But,  it  is  blind  fortune, 
too,  when  you  are  victimized  by  the  influences  of  such  a  system. 
It  is  folly  to  ascribe  the  existence  of  evil  to  the  spiritual 
vrorld  where  the  causes  arc  so  apparent  in  this.  Think  of  the 
parable  of  the  sowef*.  "  And  when  he  sowed,  some  seeds  fell  by 
the  way-side  and  the  fowls  came  and  devoured  them  up :  some 
fell  upon  stony  places  where  they  had  not  much  earth,  and  forth- 
with they  sprung  up,  because  they  had  no  deepness  of  earth,  and 
"when  the  sun  was  up,  they  were  scorched  and  because  they  had 
lio  root,  they  withered  away.  And  some  fell  among  thorns,  and 
the  thorns  sprung  up  and  choked  them.  But,  others  still,  fell 
into  good  ground  .ind  brought  forth  fruit,  some  a  hundred-fold, 
some  sixty-fold,  some  thirty-fold." 

This  is  not  more  strongly  illustrative  of  the  dissemination  of 
truth  than  of  the  varied  development  of  human  character. — 
Human  life,  o'er  all  this  earth,  springs  into  being,  susceptible 
of  proper  development  from  favorable  influences  ;  but,  as  in  the 
«eed  sown,  it  finds  genial  and  ungenial  surroundings.  From  fa- 
vorable physical  and  moral  influences,  we  find  it  highly  develop- 
ed, and  in  the  absence  of  these,  dwarfed  or  perverted.  From 
such  conditions,  determined  by  the  past  and  operating  upon  hu- 
man development  man  derives  his  momentum  to  good  and  his 
proclivity  to  evil. 

It  has  been  said  that,  "  there  are  always  some  peculiar  and 
characteristic  features  in  the  physical  geography  of  each  large 
division  of  (he  globe,  and  on  these  peculiarities  the  state  of  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  life  depends."*  It  may  with  equal  truth  be 
said  that  there  are  peculiar  social  and  moral  conditions,  in  every 
form  of  society,  upon  which  the  state  of  mental  development 
depends. 

"Men"  says  Montesquieu,  "are  influenced  by  various  cau- 
ses, by  the  climate,  the  religion,  the  laws,  the  maxims  of  gov- 
erment,  the  precedents,  morals,  and  customs;  from  whence  is 
formed  a  general  spirit,  which  takes  its  rise  from  these. 

In  proportion,  as  in  every  nation  any  one  of  these  causes  acts 

*  Sir  Charles  LvHL 


THE  MORAL  POWER   OF   MAN'.  60 

•with  more  force,  the  others  in  the  same  degree  hecome  weak. — 
Nature  and  the  climate  rule  almost  alone  over  the  savages  :  cus- 
toms govern  the  Chinese;  the  laws  tyrannize  in  Japan  ;  morils 
had  formerly  all  their  influence  at  Sparta  ;  maxims  of  g^ovcrn- 
ment,  and  the  ancient  simplicity  of  manners,  once  prevailed  at 
Home." 

Passion,  desire,  and,  jnd<^ent,  upon  the  latter  of  which  de- 
pends the  sense  of  right  and  wrong,  are  innate  qualities  of  the 
human  mind,  and,  «s  neckssarily  developed,  as  the  flower  of 
the  plant.  Their  right  or  wrong  development,  i.s  dependent,  as 
in  vegetable  or  animal  life,  upon  influences  affbcting  them.  If 
re,  in  our  individual  development  ccntrol  these  influences,  we 
lavc  some  appearance  of  mental  independence  ;  if  we  do  not 
jontrol  them,  we  may  accelerate  human  progress  by  a  more  just 
ippreciation  of  the  causes  of  .human  action^ 

The  influences  which  vary  the  development  of  passion,  desire 
>nd  judgment,  are  physical,  social  and  moral,  and  arc  Good  and 
Evil.  Physical  influence,  for  instance,  may  come  from  health 
or  disease.  Social  influence,  from  affluence,  competence  or  pov- 
erty. Moral  influence  may  afford  the  attractions  of  virtue,  or 
the  allurements  of  vice.  Amid  such  influences  we  are  born, 
and,  dependent  upon  them,  in  their  various  mollifications,  is,  the 
DEVELOPMENT   OF    HUMAN    CHARACTER. 

Physical  condition,  art,  science  and  philosophy ;  manners, 
habits,  customs  and  opinions,  arc  transmitted,  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  under  no  other  regulation  than  the  LAW  OF 
PROGRESS,  controlling  events  and  the  development  of  mind. 

Progress  is  ever  changing  these  conditions.  Such  is  phj'sical, 
Bocial  and  moral  history.  A  nation,  or  a  generation  may  h& 
involved  in  calamity — but,  the  calamity  lays  the  foundation  of 
future  advanced  condition. 

"  Historians  in  all  ages"  says  Alison,  "have  exerted  their 
powers  in  painting  the  dreadful  devastations  produced  by  the 
periodical  eruptit  ns  of  the  Tartar  tribes  into  the  smiling  plains 
of  Southern  Asia;  the  pyramids  of  heads  that  maiked  wheie 
their  sabre  had  been,  nn<l  the  sack,  conflagration  and  ruiu  whicU 


THE  MORAL  POWtK   OF  MAN'.  Cl 

have  ever  attended  their  footsteps.  But  admit  ting  tlie  terrible 
nature  of  the  whilwinds  which  have  thus  passed  over  the  cartli, 
it  is  the  height  of  error  to  consider  them  as  pcrnici  his  in  their 
ultimate  effects ;  they  resemble  the  tempest,  which  is  often  ne- 
cessary to  restore  the  purity  of  tlie  physical  atmosphere,  or  the 
wintry  storms  which  clear  away  the  decayed  riches  of  summer 
vegetation  ;  and,  accordingly,  it  was  ever  under  the  powerful, 
though  transient  vigor  of  northern  dynasties,  that  society  under 
the  Asiatic  rule  has  risen  to  greatness,  or  passing  felicity  been 
communicated  to  mankind.  All  its  great  ^nations,  the  Medes, 
the  Persians,  the  Assyrians,  the  Parthians,  the  Monguls,  have 
Bprung  from  the  intermixture  of  barbarian  energy  with  civilized 
opulence,  and  when  greatness  had  corrupted  even  the  majesty 
of  Home  "the  giants  of  the  North,"  in  Gibbon's  words,  "broke 
in  and  amended  the  puny  breed."  Either  a  physical  or  moral 
regeneration  seems  necessary  in  the  later  stages  of  civilized  life 
in  all  countries  ;  if  no  ni(  ans  of  producing  the  former,  from  in- 
ternal energy  or  virtue  exist,  the  latter  is  necessary.  And  the 
reflecting  observer,  who  has  witnessed  the  innumerable  evils 
which  have  followed  in  the  wake  of  long  established  civilization, 
even  with  all  the  means  of  combatting  them  which  a  purer  reli- 
gion and  the  free  spirit  of  Europe  have  afforded  in  modern  times, 
will  probably  hesitate  to  characterize  even  the  inroads  of  Timour 
or  Genghis  Khan  as  unmixed  evil,  and  doubt  whether  they  are 
not  the  severe  but  necessary  means  of  purifying  and  reforming 
mankind,  when  corrupted  by  the  vices  of  a  society  which  has  no 
salient  and  living  principle  of  energy  within  its.own  bosom.." 

We  act  obedient  to  the  i.M telling  causes  though  centuries 
contribute  to  their  force ;  we  give  tliem  effect,  though  blind  to 
all  save  the  immediate  consequences  of  our  action. 

As  physical  condition  is  the  work  of  vast  epochs  of  time  ;*  so. 


*  We  find  so  many  remarkable  relations  between  tlie  physical  conditions 
of  our  eartb  anl  the  well  beiii;^  of  its  races,  that  we  cannot  avoid  seeing  in 
the  historical  evidences  of  geology  some  traces  of  order  ;  a  winter,  a  spring, 
the  seed  time  and  a  harvest  of  creation  ;  a  winter  when  life  was  absent,  a 
spring  when  preparation  f-iv  it  wa-:  accomplished,  and,  an  era.  when  it  was 


ei  THK  MORAL  l';»WK?.  OF  MAX. 

social  and  moral  condition  is  the  work  of  age?.  As  plivslcal 
condition,  in  different  regions  of  the  earth,  is  unequal  in  the 
support  of  vegetable  and  animal  life  ;  J*o,  social  and  moral  con- 
dition is  found  unefpial,  in  the  development  of  niind.  Tlie  na- 
tions ^^Uicll  Lave  been  most  fortunate  in  appropriating  the  expe- 
rience cf  the  race  are  the  most  highly  advanced  in  civilization. 

We  have  but  to  pass  from  one  pc.'«ple  to    another  to  mark  all 
the  differences  and  effects  of  social  and  moral  condition.     Amonjr 
one  people  >ve  find  the    experience  of  ihe    past    unfolded  in  or- 
ganized government — codes  of  lav — highly    developed   religion 
— physical  comfort  and  anxious  pros^ecution   of  the    arts,  soieu- 
ces  and  philosophy.     Among  another  we  find,  that — 
*'  Knowledge,  to  them,  its  ample  page, 
P.ich  with  the  spoils  of  time  did  ne'er  unroll," 
auul  development  is  marked  with  ignorance,  idolatry  and  barba- 
rism. 

"Why  some  porticns  of  the  earth  should  have  been  thus  bless- 
ed and  others  left  in  a  state  apparently  original,  is  doubtless 
owiiig  mainly  to  physical  condition.  That  portion  of  the  globe 
of  moderate  temperature  and  teeming  with  human  nourishment 
has  been  made,  in  remavkalde  correspondence,  the  treasury  of 
human  learning  and  refinement. 

How  the  experience  of  the  past  is  incorporated  into  social 
and  moral  condition  is  matter  of  liistor}'.  The  Greeks  appro- 
priated much  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Egyptian — the  Romans 
that  of  the  Greeks,  and  modern  Europe  that  of  Rome.  Disco- 
very, always  gradual  and  suggested  by  the  past,  has  kept  pace 
with  the  march  of  time,  constantly  adding  to  the  accumulation 
of  human  knowledge  and  has  now  ])laced  us,  under  the  influence 
of  social  and  moral  condition,  far  in  advance  of  former  ages. 

That  DISCOVERY  is  gradual  and  suggested  by  the  tast,  and, 
as  illustrative  of  PRoGHEsciiVE  cjiaxue  in  physical,  social    and 


•called  into  being;  and  so  successively  to  the  time  when  the  highcnt  created 
jntfllif^ence  of  our  ciirth  was  brought  forward  to  take  possession  and  occu- 
py the  earth  now  prepared  for  Uiin. —  Tj/2>i'-il  Fitntti  and  S^xxial  Ends  iu 


THE  MORAL  l*0\v::u   OF   MAX.  C3 

moral  conditions,  under  the  Divine   governmeut,  the  following 
facts  may  serve  : — 

"A  property  of  a  natural  substance,  long  overlooked  *vcil 
though  it  attracted  observation  hy  a  different  peculiarity,  has 
influenced  by  its  aceidental  disccveri/  the  fortunes  of  mankind, 
more  than  all  the  deductions  of  pliilosophy.  It  is  perhaps  im- 
possible to  ascertain  the  epoch  -when  the  polarity  of  the  magnet 
was  first  known  in  Europe.  The  Frenchy  as  well  as  Italians 
claim  the  discovery  as  their  own ;  but  whether  it  were  due  to 
either  of  these  nations,  or  rather  learned  from  their  intercourse 
with  the  Saracens,  is  not  easily  ascertained. — Ilalani,  M.  A. 
jjaye  481. 

"  But  while  the  learned  of  Italy  were  eagerly  exploring  their 
recent  acquisitions  of  (ancient)  mantisCripts,  deciphered  with 
difficulty,  and  slowly  circulated  from  hand  to  hand,  a  few  ob- 
scure Germans  liad  gradually  perfected  the  most  important  dis- 
cover}/ recorded  in  the  annals  of  mankind.  The  invCiition  of 
Printing,  so  far  from  having  been  the  result  of  philosophical  sat- 
gacity,  dees  not  appear  to  have  been  suggested  by  any  regard  to 
the  higher  branches  of  literature.  The  question,  why  it  was 
struck  out  at  that  particular  time,  must  be  referred  to  that  dis- 
position of  unknown  causes  which  wc  call  accident,  'ihe  inven- 
tion of  paper  seems  to  have  natundly  preceded  those  of  engra- 
ving and  printing.  It  is  generally  agreed  that  playing  cards 
which  have  been  traced  far  back  in  the  fourteenth  century,  gave 
i\\c  first  notion  of  taking  off  impressions  from  engraved  figures 
upon  wood.  This  process  led  to  the  invention  which  has  given 
immortality  to  the  names  of  Faust,  Schoeffer  and  Guttenburg. 

lib.  page  548. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  Black's  researches  into  those  ef- 
fects of  heat  which  are  connected  with  changes  in  the  state  and 
forms  of  bodies,  and  especially  with  the  constitution  of  vapour, 
led  Watt  into  that  train  of  reasoning  by  which  his  improvements 
in  the  steam  engine  were  ultimately  efi^cted.  Most  of  the  won- 
ders of  modern  chemistry  must  be  referred  to  Galvani's  experi- 
ments on  a  dead  frcg.  They  led  Volta  to  the  construction  of 
the   electric  pile  :   and,  in  \\w  htnids  of  Davy,  and  hi'i  successor?/ 


6i  THK   MoitAl.    IHjWEU    ok  Mv.V. 

what  inipmtant  conquests  liave  been  attained,  ami  whatextraoi- 
dinary  conserjuences  are   daily   flowing  from  a  source,  so  appa- 
rently unpromising  and  irrelevant  !     Independent    of  the  nev 
iigents  which  have  been    placed   in  the  hands  of  the  cxperimen 
talist,  and  of  the  new  and  important  theoretical   consideration- 
which  arise  out  of  them,    the    whole  aspect  and  character  of  a 
great   department  of    physical    science    has    been   wonderfully 
clianged,  extended   and  improved;  the  cau^e  of  magnetism  haa 
been  developed  ;  and,  a  power  no  less  extraordinary  and  appli- 
cable to   human  uses  than  light  and  heat,  perliaps  imleed   the 
parent  of  both,  is  gradually  showing  its  mysterious  relations. — 
Of  two  great  practical  con3ef|uences  have  these  inquiries  already 
been  productive;  namely,  the  electric  telegraph,  and  the  preser- 
vation of  metals  from  corrosion.     That  others  arc  upon  the  eve 
of  iheir  development  cannot  be  doubted ;  and    in  proportion  as 
our  knowledge  of  tfiis  agent  and  consequent  power  over  it  is  ex- 
tended, those    ends   must   certainly  be   attained  whicli  we  have 
above  ventured  to  anticipate^— 'Z?'*a«cff'«   Unc. — CJunnisU-y. 

It  is  thus  wc  are  advanced  by  the  law  of  progress  gradually 
to  higher  and  higher  conditions,  and,  it  is  thus  the  conditions  of 
mental  development  are  fixed  by  the  past  and  their  sequences 
ESTABLISH  El).  "\Vc  may  influence  the  future  of  these  condi- 
tions ;  but  human  cfi'ort  is  not  wisely  directed  when  warring 
against  fffects  necessarily  resulting  from  their  causes.  This 
is  true  in  its  applica'ion  both  to  individual  and  social  develop- 
ment. Both  the  individual  and  social  mind  receive  from  the 
conditions  of  the  past  characteristic  development.  Statesman 
understand  this—they  understand  the  causes  of  human  action, 
and  at  times  give  them  efl'ect,  in  educating  willing  subjects  of 
despotic,*  or,  competent   citlstens  of,   free  government.     When 


*  "The  principal  object  of  government  which  the  Chinese  legislators  h»\ 
in  viow,  was  the  peace  and  tr;in(iuility  ol  ihe  empire;  and  xubonlinaiion 
appeared  to  tiiem  as  tiie  mn^^t  i)niper  means  to  attain  it.  Filled  with  this 
idea,  they  believed  it  their  duty  to  inspire  a  respoct  for  fathers,  and  there- 
fore aHsembled  all  their  power  to  effpct  it.  They  cstablislied  an  infinite 
number  of  rites  and  ceremonies  to  do  them   honor  when  living,  and  a.tix 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAX.  iS5 

tliey  do  not,  tliej  are  ignorant  of  the  principles  necessary  to 
the  preservation  of  government.  Religion  too,  knows  how  to 
wiekl  these  cailses  in  behalf  of  its  creeds.  The  Koran,  (0hc6 
established  as  the  pojDular  religion,  the  whole  Mohammedaii 
world  was  buried  in  spiritual  bondage.  The  Catholic  Church, 
too,  knew  how  to  wield  these  Causes,  and  for  long  held  the  Chris- 
tian world  in  its  toils,  until  one  of  its  ineiilbers  arose,  and" 
through  the  publication  of  the  Bible,  introduced  various  phe- 
nomena of  cause  and  effect.  Protestanisnl  assumed  many  forins^ 
but,  the  success  of  each  was  dependent  upon  the  po^Ver  of  the 
present,  to  influence  the  conditions  of  the  future — to  mould  the 
minds  of  futiire  generations.  The  opinions  of  men — the  creeds 
of  society — forms  of  government— ^are  tenaciously  adhered  to, 


tliclr  death.  Tt  was  impossible  for  tlicm  to  ]i!iy  such  honors  to  deceased 
|iarents,  without  being  led  to  honor  tlie  living.  The  ceremonies  at  the 
death  of  a  father  were  more  nearly  related  to  tlic  laws,  manners  and  cus- 
toms; hovrever,  tlicse  were  only  parts  of  the  same  code,  but  this  code  was 
Very  extensive. 

A  veneration  for  fathers  was  necessarily  conilected  with  a  suitable  respect 
for  all  who  represented  fathers,  such  as  old  men,  masters,  magistrates,  and 
the  Emperor.  This  respect  for  fath-ers  supposed  a  rctiil'n  of  love  towards 
cliildren,  and  consequently  the  same  return  from  old  men  to  thfe  JroUng, 
from  magistrates  to  those  who  were  under  their  jurisdiction,  and  front  the 
Emperor  to  liis  subjects.  This  formed  the  rites,  and  these  rites  the  general 
spirit  of  the  nation. 

■\Ve  shall  now  show  the  relation  which  things,  in  appearance  the  most  in- 
different,  may  have  to  the  fundamental  constitution  of  China.  This  em 
pii-eis  firmed  on  the  plan  of  the  goverimiont  of  a  family.  If  you  diminish 
the  paterral  a\Uhority.  or  even  if  you  entrench  the  ceremonies  which  ex- 
press your  respect  for  it,  j'ou  weaken  the  reverence  due  to  magistrates,  who 
are  considered  as  fathers  \  nor  Would  the  magistrates  havC  the  saule  care  of 
the  people  Wh)ra  they  ought  to  consider  as  their  children;  and  that  tender 
relation  which  subsists  between  the  prince  and  his  subjects,  would  insensi- 
bly be  lost.  Retrench  but  one  of  these  habits,  and  you  overturn  the  State. 
It  is  a  thing  in  itself  very  indifferent  wliethcr  the  duughter-in-law  rises  eve- 
ry morning  to  pay  such  and  such  duties  to  her  Hiother-in-law  ;  but  if  wd 
consider  that  those  exterior  habits,  incessantly  revive  an  idea  necessary  to 
be  imprinted  on  all  minds,  an  idea  that  forms  tlie  governing  spirit  of  thtf 
tmpire,  we  shall  see  that  it  is  necessary  that  such  or  such  a  particular  actio'' 
}>c  porrormed.— -.^j>n-//  f'/  Laics,  p.   8.^8. 

0 


^  Tin:  MOBAL  I'OWKR  OF  MAX. 

and  strive  for  Influence  and  power,  Avlictlier  right  or  -wrong,  ai>«-I 
hence,  bellkjerant  nations,  I)I^^couDA^JT  creeds,  and,  endless 
conflict  of  oriNiox. 

The  cfi'ects  of  antecedent  causes  are  not  more  apparent  upon 
society  than  upon  individuals.  All  individual  action  is  likewise 
varied  by  the  influences  of  the  past.  There  is  such  a  principle 
rn  the  moral  government  of  man  as  necessity.  His  elevation 
-^progress — higher  development — is  the  design  of  God,  amply 
illustrated  in  human  history,  and  necessary  ^unavoidable. 

''To  rise  superior"  says  Alison,  "  to  tlie  pr6ssure  of  existing 
events,  to  gchcr.ilixe  at  once  from  the  pa>st  and  the  present,  and 
to  draw  inferences    in  regard  to  tlic  future,  which  shall  be  just 
in  the  ever  changeful    current  of  human  afl'airs,  is  perhaps  the 
liighcst  cflort   of  philosophical  power ;  yet  it  is  not  tsulRcient  to 
do  so   that  tlie    observer  is    imTAicd    with    the   spirit  of  his  own 
limes,  and  that  he  is  deeply  impressed  witli  the  progress  among 
mankind,  and  vast  clianges  in  society  that  ho  sees  around  liim. 
If  he  limit.'j    his  observation    to   them   alone,   he  will    be  led  as 
I'idely  astray  as  if  he  regarded  cnly  the  past,  and  cast  aside  all 
observation  of  the  present.     At  one  period,  and   in  some  coun- 
tries, mankind  appear    to    make  the  most  rapid  progress  ;  their 
mimbers  multiply  Avlth  incredible  rapidity ;  thej^  expand  in  every 
direction,  and  come  to  exercise  a  great,  sometimes  a  durable  in- 
ftuence  on  human  afll'alrs.     At  other  times,  nations  becomes  sta_ 
tionary,  or  even  I'ctrograde  ;  their  energies  seem  exhausted,  their 
fire  is   burned  out :  and  centuries  ehapse  without  thcJr  giving 
birth  to  one  original  thought,  or  achieviirg  a  single  action  worthy 
of  bcfAg*  recorded   in  the  annals    of  mankind.     In  the  first  pe- 
riod, the  thoughtful  observer  is   apt   to  be  unduly  influenced  by 
the  strength  of  tlie  current  in  which  he  finds  himself  placed ;  he 
ices  everything  around  hin^  in  rapid  motion  ;-  iufitltfttioiTS  chang- 
ing, new  powers  rising  into  action,  old  Inflncnx^es  sin'king  or  for- 
gotten.    He  not  unnaturally  imagines  tluit  this  violent  current 
is  to  continue  forever  the  same,  when,  in   fact,  the  very  rapidity 
of  its  motion  is  only  accelerating  the  peiiod  when  it  is  to  be  fol- 
lowed by  a  calm.     lie  forgets  that    the   rapids  of  Niagara  arc' 
succeeded  by  the  calm  expanse  of  Lake  Ontario.     In  the  latter" 


THE  MORAL  POWRROF  MAX.  .cy 

Situation,  tlio  oLsevver  is  often  leil  unduly  to  despair  of  the  foiv 
tunes  of  bis  species  ;  indig-nant  at  the  corruption  or  selfishness 
with  Avhich  he  is  surrounded ;  unable  to  arouse  bis  countrymen 
to  activity  or  public  virtue :  desponding,  from  observing  the 
community  to  which  he  belongs,  sinking  in  the  scale  of  nations, 
he  becomes  hopeless  of  the  improvement  of  mankind,  and  vents 
his  discontent  in  cutting  satires  on  the  prevailing' vices,  and 
which  -  appear  to  form  the  melancholy  termination  of  national 
exaltation.  lie  forgets  that  such  a  state  of  things  is  not  oter.- 
nal ;  that  a  remedy,  and  an  effectual  remedy,  is  provided  against 
its  evils  in  the  rise  of  other  states,  the  advent  of  fiercer  pas- 
sions, or  the  inroad  of  braver  nations;  and  that  as  certain! v  as 
the  bursting  vegetation  of  spring  succeeds  the  torpi<l  vliality  of 
winter,  so  surely  will  the  energies  and  powers  of  mankind  come 
to  revive  the  decaying  spirit  of  nations." 

There  is  also  NECifSSAHY  couffcction  between  effects  and  their 
causes ;  but,  the  causes  of  evil  human  action,  do  not  necessa- 
rily exist  as  a'  permanent  order  of  rrovidcncc.  There  is  uq 
such  Design  in  the 'J  Providence  of  God,  and  there  is  no  more 
reason  to  believe  that  there  is,  than  that,  the  instances  of  dcr 
fcctive  development,  in  the  vegetable  and  animal  world,  result 
from  Design.  The  truth  is,  the  great  and  only  prerogative  of 
moral  power  in  man,  is  over  those  causes,  having  their  origin  in 
the  conditions  of  life,  Avliich  produce  evil  action  in  his  race. — 
So  far  from  such  action  being  necessary.  He  has  organized  us 
with  intellectual  capacity  to  conceive  the  conditions  of  life — the 
sources  of  moral  aberation — and  to  co-operate  with  Ilis  design, 
inanifested  in  the  perpetual  progress  of  creation,  for  their  remo- 
val. This  He  has  made  the  highest  power  of  the  human  mind, 
and  its  exercise,  t%£  great  duty  of  life  and  the  highest  pleasure 
of  existence ;  a  duty  which  demands  not  only  individual  effort, 
but  the  exercise  of  every  social  influence  which  ma}^  be  brouf^ht 
to  bear  happi]}^  upon  the  future  coXDixroxs  of  life.  There  is 
no  "evil  incident  to  the  human  mind  which  does  not  result,  im- 
modiately  or  remotely,  from  ignorance  ;  there  is  no  evil  affecting 
the  happiness  of  man  uncontrollable  by    acJc/nate   intelligeucc, 


en  THE  MORAf,  TOWER  QP  MAX. 

Sucli  intelligence  we  do  acquire,  and  can  only  acquire,  prcgres^ 
iivchf,  and  this,  indeed,  is  the  order  of  the  creation. 

Such  is  our  necessity-— such  our  liherty.  Wc  iMi'ST,  as  a  rsec, 
move  onward,  and  upward,  in  mental  development ;  individually 
and  socially,  we  may  accelerate  the  march  of  future  progress. 
The  causes_of  the  past  arc  upon  vs  and  have  their  effects  in 
the  rntSENT,  and  these  arc  good  or  had,  wise  or  foolish,  or  a 
compound  of  all.  It  is  not  questioned  that  the  Present  has 
some  latitude  of  choice -^honie  latitude  in  which  the  human 
mind  is  determined.  But,  the  choice,  whatever  it  may  he,  is 
always  the  effect  of  physical,  social  and  moral  condition,  and 
the  mind  determines  only  in  accordance  with  the  power  and 
force  of  such  influences. 

•  "The  will,"  says  Locl:e,  "being  nothing  but  a  power  in  the 
mind  to  direct  the  operative  faculties  of  a  man  to  motion  or 
rest,  as  far  as  they  depend  on  such  direction  :  to  the  question, 
What  determines  the  will  ?  the  true  and  proper  answer  is.  The 
mind."   * 

It  is  necessary  further,  to  int^uirc  what  determines  the  mind? 
The  above  mentioned  writer  has  explained  this  to  be,  uneasiness, 
or,  desire.  This  brings  us  to  the  consideration  cf  the  devklov- 
MENT  of  desire,  of  judgment,  reason,  as  well  as  of  all  the  NA- 
TIVE qualities  of  the    mind,    which    development  we  find  to  be 


*  "  The  iilca  of  liberty  applied  metaphorically  to  the  will,  has  sprung 
from  a  misconception  of  the  meaning;  of  the  word  power  What  is  power? 
— id  quod  jjolesf,  tliat  which  can  produce  any  given  effect.  To  deny  power 
is  to  say  that  nothing  can  or  has  the  power  to  be  or  act.  In  the  only  true 
sense  of  the  word  power,  it  applies  with  equal  force  to  the  loailBtonc  as  to 
the  human  will.  Do  you  think  these  motives  which  I  shall  present,  are 
powerful  enough  to  rouse  him?  is  a  question  just  as  common  as,  Do  you 
think  this  lever  has  the  power  of  raising  this  weight  ?  The  advocates  of 
free-will  assert  that  the  will  has  the  power  of  refusing  to  he  determined  by 
the  strongest  motive  ;  but  the  strongest  motive  is  that  which,  overcoming 
all  others,  ultimately  preveils  ;  this  assertion  therefore,  amounts  to  a  denial 
of  the  will  being  ultimately  determiued  by  that  motive  which  does  deter- 
mine it,  which  is  absurd.  But  it  is  equally  certain  that  a  man  cannot  rc» 
Siist  the  strongest  motive,  as  thu  he  cannot  overcome  a  physict\l  impopsii 
hility," — i'Voin  the  Ko'cs  of  i<hdl^. 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  69 

VARIED  by  the  conditions  of  life — physical,  social  and  moral. 

Common  sense,  religion  and  philosophy  concur,  in  recog)iizing 
an  over-ruling  Providence — "  a  Divinity  Avho  shapes  our  ends" 
— who  is  "  All  in  All," — "  in  whom  we  live  and  move  and  have 
our  being."  If  this  is  true,  then  man  is  subordinate  to  the 
laws  of  the  Great  Ruler  and  in  no  sense  independent  of  them. 
How  these  laws  at  once  control  his  subordination  and  advance 
his  destiny,  may  be  learned  from  investigating  the  progress  of 
physical,  social  and  moral  condition.  The  Design,  too,  of  the 
Creator,  becomes,  with  such  investigation  apparent,  higher  and 
higher  conditions,  and,  the  ultimate  ascendancy  of  the  intellec- 
ual  nature  of  man. 

Higher  condition  can  only  result  from  the  removal  of  the  cau^ 
ses  producing  evil,  or,  the  substitution  of  higher  incentives  to 
action,  and  every  principle  in  the  organization  of  man,  rightly 
developed,  fits  him  for  the  highest  conceivable  earthly  condition. 
It  is  from  misdirection,  or  defectn'o  development,  that  the  design 
of  the  organization  is  defeated.  Wrong  aifects  the  moral  Avorld, 
as  the  physical  is  affected  by  irregularity,  and  botli,  as  they  con- 
flict with  the  harmony  of  the  law  of  Progress,  arc  attended  with 
convulsions^-convulsions  of  nature's  abhorrence.  To  this  extent 
matter  and  mind  are  not  only  accountable  to,  but,  controlled 
by,  the  laws  of  the  Creation. 

We  must  bear  in  mind  the  Order  of  the  Creation — beginninfr 
with  the  organiz.ation  of  matter — organization  under  laws  which 
establish  its  general  harmony  and  control  its  beneficent  uses. — 
If  it  is  asked  why  irregularity,  or  evil,  is  incident  to  a  creation 
thus  manifestly  organiz;cd  by  Infinite  Intelligence,  the  answer 
is  obvious :  the  creation  is  in  design  PRoaRESSiVE,  and  not  sta- 
tionary. It  began  with  the  imperfections  of  matter — it  has 
resulted  in  the  development  of  mind,  constantly  advancing  in 
appreciation  of  God  and  his  works. 

As  we  advance  in  such  knowledge,  we  discover  the  causes  of 
evil  and  it  appears  no  longer  accidental.  We  remove  the  cause 
{ind  the  evil  disappears.  To  such  discovery  and  removal  of  the 
causes  of  evil  we  are  indebted  for  the  progress  and  well-beino- 
pf  life. 

But,  the  causes  of  evil  still  abound  and  constantly  repeat  their 


?0  THE  MOn.U,  PO'.VI'R  OF  MAX. 

effects.  IIow  often,  for  instance,  arc  \\c  culled  upon  to  mourn 
the  loss  of  the  3'oung  and  loved  of  our  race.  AVhy  arc  not  the 
causes  of  these  early  deaths  understood  ?  Must  they  ever  seem 
the  result  of  accident?  Must  -we  ever  coiitinue  the  supersti- 
tion of  the  Gn  eks,  that  "  those  ■whom  tlic  Gods  love  die 
young  ?"  llow  long  before  observation — the  mother  of  science 
— vill  detect  the  causes  and  remove  this  fruitful  source  of  ACCI- 
DENTAL ill  ? 

Pestilences — contagious  and  infectious  :  how  long  before  sci- 
ence "v^ill  completely  develop  their  origin  and  dry  up  their  foun- 
tains of  moc?  Disease,  in  its  countless  forms,  which  Ave  know 
comes  from  adverse  influences  aftecting  our  phj-sical  constitution; 
how  ^ong  before  Science  will  explain,  classify,  illustrate,  such 
influences,  rather  than  the  wretched  remedies  willrwhieh  it  seeks 
to  heal  the  diseased  ?  How  long  before  the  iiujuiry  "whence 
comes  it  ?"  and  not  "what  Avill  cure  it?"  Shall  be  esteemed 
worthy  of  the  highest  cflbrt  of  the  human  mind? 

If  we  know  not  the  causes  of  such  evils — if  we  are  driven  to 
ascribe  such  effects  to  the  design  of  God — is  it  surprising  that 
man  should  have  sought  in  the  realm  of  spirits  for  the  cause  of 
MoiiAL  evil?  If  he  has  exhibited  ignorance  of  his  ph^'sical  con- 
stitution and  the  causes  affecting  it,  is  it  a  matter  of  Avonder  that 
he  should  be  ignorant  of  his  moral  nature  and  the  causes  oper- 
ating upon  its  develo]iuu>nt?  And,  yet,  none  of  these  causes 
are  above  the  reach  of  the  human  mind.  Disease  may  be  tra- 
ced to  the  causes  producing  it,  and  MoiiAL  EviL  to  its  origin  : 
^,hat  is  to  say,  to  tiie  causes  operating  upon  mental  development. 
When  this  is  done  it  appears  the  result  of  antecedent,  but  not, 
nck'essary,  cauSts. 

A  knowledge  of  the  causes  nf  j/liysical  and  moral  evil  is  pre- 
llniinary  to  their  removal.  A  science  of  Ivenicdics  for  existing 
evils,  whether  phA'sical  or  moral,  may  ameliorate  human  suffer- 
inf,  but  can  never  remove  the  souncES  of  evil.  Each  genera- 
tion must  exhaust  its  tie.^edial  art  in  efforts  to  heal  its  viciors 
and  diseased.*     But,    if  based  upon    the   physical   and  moral 


^  Even  philanthropic  effort  is  aJdicssed  to  tlie  amelioration  of  kffectr.-t 
Those  noble  institutions,  vliich  afford  aR^lums  for  tlie  unfortunate  of  our 


Tlli:  MORAL  POWER  0?  MAX.  7l 

i:atilre  of  man,  science  should  explain  the  causes  of  physical 
and  moral  derangement,  we  will  have  reached  that  degree  of 
kno^yledge  -which  ^Yill  secure,  in  a  great  degree,  the  harmony  of 
our  ph^'sical  and  moral  natures. 

In  the  progress  of  life  through  the  ever-widenir.g  diffusion 
of  kno-vrlcdge  much  lias  been  accomplished  in  alnitemcnt  of  ui:- 
REDITARY  physical,  social  and  moral  evil,  and  man  has  never" 
lost  the  Intuition  thnt  the  time  >iill  come  -when  v.rong  will  have 
an  end  ;  Avhen  he  will  live  m  harmony  Avith  the  laws  of  his  being 
and  vindicate;  the  Providence  of  God. 

Dr.  Eeid  closing  his  Essay  on  "the  extent  of  human  power" 
reasons  in  accordance  with  the  principles  and  general  views  of 
the  foregoing  : — - 

"  The  power  of  man  over  his  own  and  other  minds,  when  wd 
trace  it  to  its  origin,  is  involved  in  darkness,  no  less  than  his 
pbwer  to  more  his  ot\'n  and  other  bodies. 

AVe  perceive  one  event  to  follovv^  another,  according  to  estab-^ 
lislied  laws  of  naturt,  and  ;vc  are  accustomed  to  call  the  first 
the  cause,  and  the  second  the  effect,  without  knowing  what  is 
the  bond  thrrt  united  them.  In  order  to  pruduce  a  certain  event, 
wc  iTse  means  which,  by  laws  of  nature,  are  connected  Avith  that; 
event;  and  avc  call  ourselves  the  cau.?e  of  that  event,  thoufj'ii 
other  efficient  causes  ri'Cfy  have  had  the  chief  hand  in  its  2))'od ac- 
tion. 

Upon  the  whole,  human  power,  in  its  cxistcnccj  in  its  extent; 
and  in  its  exertions,  is   entirely  dependent  ujjon  Crod,   and  iqwn 


race,  have  bc6n  suggested  by  tlio  best  emotions  of  the  human  soul;  but, 
like  the  art  of  medicine,  they  are  engaged  in  relieving  present  distress,  and 
not  in  removing  the  causes  which  produced  it.  Medicine,  it  is  true,  lias' 
done  much  towards  explaining  the  JaMs  of  health:  but  until  the  diief  at- 
tention of  the  philanthropist  and  man  of  science  is  directed  to  the  original 
causes  of  disease  and  their  removal,  the  work  must  be  ever  with  cases  con- 
stantly arising.  Disease  has  been  decreasing  and  longevity  increasing 
amv')ng  civilized  nations,  and,  it  is  believed,  that,  with  a  better  knowledge 
of  the  lawsoi"  hcnlth  and  advancing  popular  well  being  and  intelligence, 
inan^'  diseases  wiH  entirely  disrrppcar.  For  this  we  must  look  to  the  general 
dissemination  of  correct  knowledge  of  the  hulilan  economy  and  of  the  causes" 
uflcotiii!;  its  devcloiiuieai. 


V2  'rilE  MOIIAL   PO^YER   OF  MAN*. 

the  laws  of  nature,  -vvljicli  he  lias  established.  This  ought  id 
banieh  pride  and  arrogance  from  the  most  mighty  of  the  sons  of 
meti.  At  the  Same  time,  that  degree  of  power,  which  we  have 
received  from  the  bounty  of  heaven,  is  one  of.  the  noblest  gifts 
of  God  to  man  :  of  which  we  ought  not  to  be  insensible,  that 
we  ma}'  not  be  ungrateful,  and  that  we  may  be  excited  to  make 
the  proper  Use  of  it. 

The  extent  of  human  power  is  perfectly  suited  to  the  state  of 
man,  as  a  state  of  improvement  and  discipline.  It  is  sufficient 
to  animate  Us  to  the  hoblest  exertions.  By  the  proper  exercise 
of  this  gift  of  God,  human  nature,  in  individuals  and  in  societies, 
may  be  exalted  to  a  high  degree  of  dignity  and  felicity,  and  the 
earth  becomes  a  paradise.  On  the  Contrary,  its  perversion  and 
abuse  is  the  cause  of  most  of  the  evils  that  afflict  liumah  life." 

Human  power  is  thus  emphatically  declared  to  be,  in  its  EX- 
ISTENCE, EXTENT,  and  EXERTIONS,  entirely  dependent  upon  God 
and  UPON  TilE  LaWs  oi"  NATURE  which  lie  has  established.— 
And  yet,  Dr.  Reid  attempts,  elaborately,  to  explain  the  eree- 
DOM  of  the  human  mind  !  The  truth  is,  the  highest  intellec- 
tual, as  all  effort  of  the  mind  is  made  in  obedience  to  physical' 
social  and  moral  condition-^" the  havs  of  nature  Avhich  God  ha3 
established." 

Physical   Condition. 

Think  of  these  LAWS,  or  CGNDITONS,  of  nature,  and  first,  con- 
template physical  condition  in  its  influence  upon  man.  It  is 
well  known  that  plants  are  the  exponents  of  soil  and  climate^ 
and  that  with  these  combined  animal  development  is  varied.  A 
glance  will  show  tiiit  such  causes  have  also  exercised  a  control- 
ing  influence  upon  iiinn.  An  unknown  writer  has  generalized  in 
the  following  extract  the  history  of  man  under  climatic  influ* 
cnces  t    ' 

"We  sec  the  influence  of  the  material  elements  veiy  percepti- 
ble, in  the  social,  moral,  and  historical  manifestations  of  the  va- 
rious races  of  the  wurld.  A  consideration  of  the  Asiatics,  the 
Greeks,  the  Egyptians,  and  other  nations  of  ancient  or  modern 
name,  would  make  this  evident.  The  Easterns  inhabiting,  in 
Central  Asia,  vast  extents  of  level  country,  for  the  most  part  at 
a  distance   from  the    sea,  were  chiefly  pastoral    and  nomadic.-- 


THE  MORAL  POTV'ER  OP  MAX.  73 

They  liad  room  to  Tvandcr  and  grow,  and  be  numbered  by  mil- 
lions. Under  such  circumstances,  they  ■were  naturally  liable  to 
be  dominated  by  great  comfhanders,  to  whom — seeing  that  their 
uiii.settled  polity  al&o  included  the  principles  of  Avar  and  plunder 
— they  would  delegate  the  Iciidei'ship  ;  and  Avho,  on  the  broad 
2)lateaux,  could  make  use  of  cavalry  and  chariots— those  ready 
means  of  conquest  and  despotism  in  the  old  times.  Ilence  the 
people  fell  numerously  under  the  sway  of  a  few  kings,  who  used 
their  power  with  the  fierceness  and  irresJDohsibility  of  gods,  and 
kept  the  soldiery  and  the  masses  in  a  state  of  slavery — whether 
following  plunder,  cultivating  the  soil,  or  making  bricks  from 
mud,  and  rearing  with  these,  through  sweating  generations,  those 
walls  and  towers  of  Central  Asia — Ninevah,  Babylon,  and  so 
forth — of  which  we  have  transmitted  to  us  such  vague  and  mag- 
nificent traditions,  and  cf  Avhich  Layard  and  others  have  been 
discovering  some  traces  for  us  latterly. 

It  was  the  same  way,  nearly,  in  Egypt — that  prominent  his- 
toric feature  of  antiquity.  The  valley  of  the  Nile  vras  one  lev- 
el, isolated  extent  of  unrivaled  fertility-^cnpable  of  supporting 
millions  at  the  expense  of  no  very  heavy  amount  of  agricultural 
toil.  People  necessarily  multiplied  there,  and  bciiigof  peaceful 
agrarian  disposition,  came,  in  time,  to  be  subservient  to  the 
priests  and  Pharaohs  of  the  land.  The  civilization  of  Egypt 
was  a  monstrous  sort  of  thing,  born  of  the  sun  and  the  sediment 
of  the  Nile,  like  the  other  monsters  of  that  *'Great  river."  lle- 
laxed  and  enervated  by  the  heat  of  the  climate,  kept  in  ignor- 
ance, and  employed  in  masses  by  the  despotism  of  the  country, 
the  people  became  slavish  laborers,  husbandmen  and  manufactur- 
ers, living  content,  in  a  hot  inland  condition,  unfreshened  by  any 
breeze  of  the  civilizing  sea,  worshiping  animals  first  used  as  hi- 
crogl^'phical  helps  to  language,  and  hating  the  idea  of  foreign 
invasion,  ever  associated  in  their  minds  and  traditions  with  the 
revolution  of  the  nomadc  sliepheid  kings.  The  stupendous  ar- 
chitecture of  Egypt,  like  that  of  Assyria,  proved  the  numerical 
force,  physical  slavishness,  and  mental  superstition  of  that  peo- 
ple.- Fattened  by  the  hvtas  segctcs — the  exuberant  harvests  of 
the  Nile-^brute  force  and  beaverism  divided  the  nation. between 
them — excepting  what  amount  of  csot^;ric  knowledge  the  priests 
and  kings  made  use  of  to  keep  the  many-!ieuded  monster  in  or 
der. 

Let  us  now  look^at  the  aspects  of  Greece — a  country,  un- 
doubtedly, peopled  from  the  places  and  races  of  Central  Asia. — 
Greece  is  an  irregular  land  of  hills  and  valleys,  broken  by  a 
thousand  bays,  and  clasped,  beneficently,  in  the  serpent  arms  of 

10 


74  ii'A.  in'i;\i.  i■(J^^  Li;   i.m-  jia.V. 

the  Mkllantl  Sea.  In  Greece  arc  no  Lroail  levels  on  ^Llcli  ft 
despot  may  dtploj  lii.s  hor?tMncn  a^nd  Avar  ehaviots.  Maratli  oli, 
to  be  £uic,  is  a  jdateau,  locked  on  Ly  the  mountains,  and  looking 
on  the  sea — 

The  mountains  look  on  Marathon, 

And  Marathon  looks  on  the  sea — 

hut  hi^-tdiy  u-lls  us    that  the    Persian   cavalry   found  it  far   too 
rugged  a  place  to  charge    upon.     Neither  had    Hollas  any  fat, 
broad  extent  of  soil  on  which  maize,  rice,  and  corn  may  grow, 
■  to  feed  millions  in  a  supine  content,  and    predispose   thorn  to  he 
the  instruments  of   some  powerful  despotism,  kingly  or  priestly. 
The  climate  of  Greece  was  varied  hy  the  ine(iualities  of  its  sur- 
face and  the  nearness  of  the  sea;  and  the  inhabitants  became  a 
jrastoral,  agricultural,  and  commercial  people.     The  soil  brought 
forth,  in  reward  of  care  and  labor,  corn,  and  wine,  and  oil,  and 
vegetation   of  great    beauty    and  grandeur.     The    climate  was 
marked  by  those  vicissitudes  which  the  experience  of  t he-world 
proves  to  be    most  favorable  to  the   condition  of  man,  and  the 
highest  development  of  his  poirers.     It  had  none  of  the  inland 
and  enervating  characteristics  of  Middle  Asia  or  Egypt,     'i  he 
Greek  was  obliged  to  wrestle   with  Nature  for  her    blessings. — 
Thence  rose,  in  time,   the   illustrious  politics,  the  immortal  my- 
thologies, and  white  theories  of  her  fields  and  streams — all  that 
memorable  splendor  of  intellect  and  war  which  has  had  nothing 
comparable  to  it  in  antiquity. 

The  geography  of  Greece  forbade  that   deadly  centralization 
"which  has  so  disastrously  weighed  upon  most  other  civilizations. 
Nature  divided  the  Hellenic    land  into    states — fashioned  the 
Greek  group  of  peoples  on  the  federal    principle.     The  results 
were  that  the  distinct  races  and  families  of  men  set  about  taking 
care  of  their  own    destinies — began    to   make    their    municipal 
arrangements,  and  lift  up  their  ideas  to  the    great  argument  of 
self-government.     Each  nationality  was  small  enough  to  be  with- 
in the  ken  and  influence  of  all  its  citizens.     Every  man   in  the 
state — slaves  cxceptetl — had  an  intimate  personal  interest  in  its 
welfare — the  people  were  all  politicians  or  soldier?,  and  could  he 
statesmen — if  necessary.     Their    minds  were  thus  nursed  in  in- 
dependence— educated  in   the  true  school  of  civil  liberty  ;  and, 
even  in  monarchies  as  well  as  republics,  the  power,  intelligence, 
and  influence,  of  the  people,  constituted  the  life  and  vigor  of  the 
state.     Tiie  warlike  and  religious  games  of  Greece  perfected  th.^ 
strength  and  symmetry  of  the    human  body.     Its    climate   and 
Boilwere  eminently  calculated  to 'pvodace  happy  results  on  the 


TIIK  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  T5 

minds  of  men    so    organized  and  educated  ;  and  the    national 
character  became  reflected  in  the  graceful  arts  and  superstitions 
of  the  people.     In  the  East  and  Egypt,  the  vague  idea  of  some 
Supreme  divinity,  which  hovered  over  all  nations  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  never  seems  to  have  been  Jihseut    from  the  world,  was 
degraded  by  the  degraded  souls  of  the  people.     Their  notions 
of  supernal  things  were  monstrous,    grotes([uo,  and  inhuman — 
gathered  evidently  from  their  experience  of  kings  and  crocodiles. 
To  express  them  the  slavish    race    accepted  the  shapes  of  birds 
and  beasts — winged  bulls,  cows,  cats,  hawks,   alligators,   and  so 
forth.     IIoAV   different  the  cheerful   and  eminently  human   my- 
thologies of  Greece,  born  of  the  elements   of  the  clime — autoc- 
thonous  of  that  immortal  ground  !     The   Oi'ientals,   Egyptians, 
etc.,  bowed  down  to  brutal  shapes,  congenial  with  the  gross  con- 
ceptions of  their  own  laborious  ignorance.    ]>ut  the  Greek  look-, 
ed  up,  with  a  dignified  sense  of  tilings — adnlired  his  own   splen- 
did symmetry  in  the  Ul^'mpic  festivals,  and,  with  a  glorious  cgo-^ 
tism,  invested  the   many   manifestations  of  the  universal  spirit 
with  the  finest  forms   of  men  that    ran  or    fought   naked  in  the 
palestne.     Pan  was  no  monstrous   deity — he  was  a  jolly  rustic 
divinity — of  the  earth,  earthly — a  bucolic  hizarrcrie,  coming  nat- 
urally from  the  gay,  gross. genius  of  agrarianism ;  a  little  caper- 
footed,  to  be  sure  ;  but  therefore   only  the    more  in  character, 
and  a  very  respectable  divinity,  indeed,  for  the  country  parts. 

Berenger,  the  French  poet,  fables  that  it  was  Cyprus  wine 
which  first  gave  birth  to  the  gods  of  Greece — stating  that  Ilesiod 
had  warmed  his  veins  with  the  liquor  before  he  began  to  embody 
his  Olympian  theories.  But  Ilesiod,  after  all,  only  transcribed 
and  touched  up  the  popular  belief;  it  was  the  bright,  sensuous 
genius  of  Greece,  transfiguring  thchap])y  elements  of  the  clime, 
that  brought  forth  the  theogonies — peopled  with  immortal  dwel- 
lers the 

Elysian,  windless,  fortunate  abodes. 

Beyond  heaven's  constellated  wilderness. 
The  Greeks  deified  the  best  attributes  of  mankind,  and  ador- 
ed the  Supreme  Spirit  in  the  reflections  of  their  own  cheerful 
and  elevated  minds.  In  the  vastness  and  power  of  the  sea  they 
saw  Poseidon  on  his  car,  drawn  by  sea-horses,  and  girt  by  his 
couch-bearing  Tritons,  soutiding  in  response  to  what  the  old 
Greek  dramati.st  calls  "  the  innumerable  laughter  of  the  waves" 
— anarithmon  hymaton  gclasma — Japiter  thundered  from  the 
acroceraunian  top  of  Olympus, 

Soaring  all  snow-clad  through  his  native  sky 
In  the  wild  pomp  of  mountain  mnjcsty; 


Tin-:  MORAL  POWER   OF   MAX. 


Phoebus- A  polio  and  Diana,  Ins  sister,  moved,  beautiful  unspeak- 
ably, in  the  sun  and  npoon  ;  gods  blew  in  the  four  great  winds  and 
in  the  breeze  ;  every  fountain  had  its  Naiad,  and  every  oak  its 
Ilamadryud.  Pan  hhonted  on  the  mountains — especially  -\vhen- 
crer  good  came  to  Greece;  and  on  the  day  of  Marathon  his 
mighty  vociferations -were  heard  at  wonderful  distances! — and 
the  Fauns,  Satyrs,  Dryads,  Oreads  and  so  forth,  his  subjects  and 
followers,  Avandered  over  every  meadow  and  were  seen  peeping 
from  the  ghules  and  openings  of  everj'  forest. 

Much  of  the  power  and  civilir.atioh  of  Greece  grew  from  her 
commerce  and  maritiine  enterprise  from  the  sea.  Dr.  Arnoh,!, 
the  historian,  says  very  truly,  that  the  sea  has  always  been  one 
of  the  greatest  agents  of  liberty  and  civilization.  The  supre- 
macy of  Athens  over  Sparta,  then,  and  in  tlic  memory  of  all  fu- 
ture time,  was  due  to  the  port  of  the  Pirivus.  The  crowning 
glories  of  the  Attic  niotropolis-r— her  immortal  sculptures  and 
temples  and  her  splendid  philosophies — were  owing  to  a  refining 
intercourse  with  other  peoples,  and  to  the  maritime  exactions, 
somewhat  tyrannically  levi<'d  from  those  sea-born  states  that 
from  the  waters  and  shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  looked  to 
Athens  as  their  mother  city  and  protectress.  Tyre,  Carthage, 
Syracuse  and  other  seaports — ancient  and  modern — have  owed 
their  wealth,  celebrity  and  distinguishing  character  to  their  res- 
pective r/^o//rc/^'/iiVY^/  positions. 

If  we  follow  the  movements  of  the  human  family  through  GeVr 
many  and  up  to  tlic  high  latitudes  of  Europe,  we  find  that  the 
severe  elements  of  die  north  and  the  peculiarities  of  soil  were  able 
to  imbue  the  human  mind  with  a  portion  of  their  own  character. 
The  life  of  the  great  Seandinavian  race  was  necessarily  divided 
between  war  and  plunder;  and  the  ideas  which  they  entertained 
of  the  superior  powers  and  a  future  state  were  rcliected  from 
their  circumstances. 

Turning  to  Asia,  we  perceive  how  the  relaxing  heat  of  the  cli- 
mate led  the  mild  andpcrspiring  Hindoo  to  regard  God  as  a  being 
who  sits  still  and  reposes — a  type  of  sublime  steadfastness  and 
languor.  If  Chistianity  had  been  born  in  the  middle  of  Europe,* 
the  history  of  society  would  probably  have  v.'anted  some  of  its 
most  curious  and  remarkable  features — monasteries  and  hermi- 
tages. In  the  East,  enthusiasts,  overpowered  by  the  heat,  nat- 
urally agreed  that  thinking  and  doing  nothing  would  be  a  great 
help  to  devotional  feeling.  So  the  pious  were  led  to  go  very 
much  together  into  cool  crypts,  and,  from  the  physical  scnsationg 
of  the  East,  gave  rise  to  a  philosophy  which  having  passed  into 
the  colder    climate,  becauic  natury.yy   identified   with  more  of 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  Tt 

penance  and  endurance.  The  Koran  would  not  have  been  writ- 
ten— could  not  have  dene  its  work,  in  any  Northern  latituclo. — 
It  is  as  much  a  part  of  the  East — of  south-western  Asia —  us  if 
it  was  a  date  or  2mhn  tree,  and  grew  near  a  well  in  the  desert. 
One  of -the  sublimcst  religious  duties  among  the  Brahmins  and 
Turks  is  said  to  be,  to  sit  on  the  floor,  with  the  eye  of  the  mind 
fixed  on  the  very  centre  of  the  midriff,  and  thus  expect  the 
growth  and  efflorescence  of  .sanctity — a  much  pleasanter  way  of 
coming  at  the  result,  than  by  walking  or  taking  any  violent  ex- 
ercise, where  the  thermometer  is  usually  up  to  95  in  the  shade! 
It  is  also  a  part  of  religion  in  these  hot  latitudes  to  wash  Ofie'3 
self — a  piece  of  piety  which  is  good  enough  to  be  Christian. — 
The  Arab  \sfrce,  because  no  one  cares  to  dispute  his'sandsjwith 
him;  and  hospitable,  because  without  hospitality  his  dusty  father- 
land would  nearly  be  impassable  or  uniidiabitable.  Montesquieu 
says  that  poor  and  barbarous  nacions  are  most  hospitable  and 
trading  nations  least  so  ;  for  which  moral  effects  there  could  be 
adduced  very  good  geographical  causes. 

Regarding  Asia,  on  the  whole,  we  perceive  its  great  inferiori- 
ty to  Europe  in  every  thing  Avhich  civilization  boasts  of.  For 
the  causes  of  this  we  must  look  to  the  circumstances  of  sun  and 
soil — the  latter,  especially.  Europe  unlike  Asia,  is  ])roken  into 
many  distinct  territories  by  mountain  chains,  seas,  straits,  rivers, 
etc.  Nature,  in  laying  out  portions  of  her  domain,  as  it  were, 
prepared  those  divisions,  segregations,  and  isolations  which 
fostered  national  independence,  and  left  to  the  Europcanjamilies 
of  men  leisin-e  to  entertain  the  humanizing  and  elevating  thoughts 
of  life.  Europe  became  crowded  Avith  nationalities  in  which  the 
federal  principle  grew  up,  perilously  shaken  by  blows,  to  be 
sure,  and  nourished  with  human  gore,  but  still  struggling  for- 
ward, hy  degrees,  into  more  assured  vitality;  while  flowing  around 
and  through  all,  the  civilizing  sea  with  its  breezes  fmned  into 
strength  the  warm  blood  in  the  arteries  of  entesprise,  toil  and 
progress.  The  Asian  continent,  on  the  contrary,  is  compara- 
tively a  vast,  unwatered,  sun-baked  extent  of  solid  ground,  open, 
for  the  most  part,  to  the  wild  winds  and  the  wilder  hordes  of 
barbarians  and  semirbarbarians.  If,  by  some  convulsion  of  Na- 
ture, the  Caspian  Sea  could  have  been  widened  and  prolonged 
eastward  for  fifteen  hundred  ■  miles  or  so,  the  history  of  Asia, 
and,  perhaps,  of  the  world,  would  certainly  have  been  different 
from  that  we  now  peruse. 

Freedom  and  national  prosperity  are  hard  to  locate.  They 
have  never  seemed  to  thrive,  as  yet,  (we  don't  know  how  it  may 
be  in  the  future)  in  the  soft  and  sunny  places  of  the  world.  Thoy 


\ 


T3  THE  ilOHAL  POWER  OF  MAX. 

require  hard  conditions  of  the  sun  nnd  soil  to  bring  them  to  a 
valid  .ind  permanent  state  of  existence.  They  seem  to  have  suc- 
ceeded best  in  presence  of  a  difficulty — proving  apparently,  the 
truth  of  the  saying,  that  the  price  of  ind"pcndence  is  eternal 
vigilance.  The  perfection  of  the  human  race  belongs  to*  tiie 
temperate  zones  and  to  the  neccssiiij  of  encniy  imposed  by  their 
elemental  conditions.  The  civilization  of  warm,  fertile,  sponta- 
neous countries  is  not  tliat  by  which  tlic  j)rogress  of  the  world  is 
accelerated.  Switzerland  has  been  kept  free  by  her  barren 
ground  and  her  keen  Avinds,  Avhich  have  invigorated  the  souls  of 
her  people;  and  they  have  also,  probably,  dissuaded  the  ambi- 
tion of  her  neighbors.  But  it  is  certain  that  she  has  shown  her- 
self courageous  and  determined  to  be  free.  The  Ilollowland, 
south  of  the  baltic,  lying  half  in  the  ocean,  and  subject  lo  its 
overflows,  was  not  very  vehemently  regirded  by  the  rulei"s  of 
men  and  therefore,  for  a  long  time,  served  as  a  refuge  for  the 
peaceful  ami  industrious.  Labor  built  up  their  energies  in  that 
place,  and  their  spirit  of  independence  along  with  the  dykes,  and 
they  at  last  learned  to  love  and  die  for  'their  new-eatched  miles' 
taken  from  under  the  trident  of  Poseidon;  and  so  they  made  that 
land  the  asylum  of  liberty,  toleration,  enlightenment  and  com- 
mercial prosperity.  Venice,  China,  and  other  states  in  which  la- 
bor and  vigilance  have  been  necessary  to  cope  with  certain  difii- 
culties  of  the  soil  or  situation,  are  further  proofs  of  this  influence 
of  climate  on  national  character. 

If  we  lT)ok  to  England — we  think  it  could  be  shown  that  all 
she  is — all  that  contrasts  in  her  so  strongly  with  the  condition 
of  other  European  nations,  has  been  owing  to  her  plaec  on  the 
map.  Beneath  a  variable  sky,  the  soil,  <vhich  would  yield  little 
spontaneously,  Avas  still  rich  enough  to  rcAvard  cultivation;  and 
so  the  Anglo-Saxons — not  to  go  further  back — became  agricul- 
tural and  accustomed  to  toil.  Their  tribes,  occupying  a  series 
of  independent  localities,  after  a  primitive  fashion,  Avere  necessa- 
rily accustomed  to  look  to  their  own  plow  lands,  hundreds,  p  Ir- 
ishes and  counties,  and  regulate  them  independently.  The  spaco 
of  the  island  was  too  small  to  permit  any  nomade  movements; 
and  Avhen  it  Avas  brought  to  acknowledge  a  common  ruler,  the 
parish  and  county  regulations  Avere  in  customary  force.  The 
agricultural  and  household  fixity  of  the  peojde  alloAved  them  to 
form  regular  habits  and  ideas  of  policy.  The  circumstances  of 
the  island  did  not  encourage  any  central  despotism  to  groAv  up 
in  it  like  that  of  Charlemagne  over  France  and  Europe.  Girt 
by  the  Avatcrs  of  the  four  seas,  the  Saxon  polity  had  time  to  grow 
Uardcncd  oa  the  Boil,  so  that  the  invasions  of  the  Danes  and  tho 


THE  MORAL  POWEIJ   OF   MAX.  19 

Korman3  had  no  power  to  do  away  with  it.  The  Norman  gov- 
ernment, imposed  for  centuries  on  the  ishmd,  grew  weak  ia  time 
before  the  well-rooted  Anglo-Saxonism  of  tirc  land;  the  early- 
county  representatives  flowered  at  last  into  the  Parliament,  and 
the  foUcmotes  of  Egbert  and  the  Confessor  are,  at  this  day, 
flourishing  brave!  j  and  remarkably  on  wide-severed  hcmispherea 
cf  the  globe. 

The  isolation  of  England  preserved  her  from  the  despotic  in- 
fluences of  the  continent.  But  for  her  separating  sea,  she  would 
hive  been  many  times  overrun  by  her  neighbors.  If  she  had 
touched  the  bounds  of  France  or  the  Low  Countries,  she  might 
have  passed  under  the  French  crown  in  the  reign  of  King  John, 
or  slie  would  have  been  overrun  by  the  terrible  Spanish  infantry 
a  Ia?id  armada — in  the  days  of  Philip  ;  or  would  have  had  Na- 
poleon, in  1804,  dating  his  European  decrees  from  the  brick- 
built  palace  of  St.  James.  The  ocean  gods  that  have  been  the 
friends  of  Great  Britain,  have  vindicated  the  truth  of  Dr.  Ar- 
nold's assertion — in  fostering  a  maritime  wealth  and  empire,  of 
which  no  former  example  has  at  any  time  existed  in  the  world, 
and  which  will  only  be  exceeded  wIk  n  the  Anglo-saxonism  which 
is  the  moral  baek-bonc  of  this  continent — obeying  the  unexpired 
old  insular  impulse  of  the  slow  gathering  years  long  before  the 
jMayflowcr  floated — sh;ill  spread  out  a  broader  breadth  of  can- 
vass to  all  the  winds  of  Heaven — a  more  Briarean  strength  of 
arm  over  the  seas  and  shoves  of  the  world. 

It  would  be  absurd  to  deny,  wo  repeat,  that  other  influences 
beside  those  of  climate  and  soil  operate  upon  peoples.  Accidents 
of  conquests,  great  men,  modes  of  government,  religions — these 
mould  the  life  and  character  of  nations.  But,  as  far  as  the 
world  has  yet  gone,  '\vc  must  perceive  the  more  radical  and  per- 
vionent  jjotver  of  the  elemental  and  local  influences.  We  see 
that  nations  keep  their  peculiar  character,  through  the  long  pe- 
riod of  progress,  for  a  thousand  years  together.  The  Germans 
seem  to  be  the  same  with  those  Teutonic  tribes  described  by 
Csesar  and  Tacitus.  The  former  described  the  French  of  to- 
day in  the  Gauls  of  his  own  time.  He  says  that  nowhere  were 
the  common  people  more  despised  and  kept  down  thah  in  the 
country  of  the  Gauls.  The  Italians  of  this  century  are  certain- 
ly those  of  the  ancient  Rdman  days.  If  we  desire  to  find  a  pa- 
rallel for  that  general  supinencss  and  helplessness  which  they 
exhi1)it  just  now,  we  shall  find  them  under  the  emperors,  from 
Aif^ustus  down,  when  the  old  warlike  spirit  of  the  people  seem- 
ed to  have  entirely  evaporated ;  and  if  we  desire  to  find  some- 
thing like  the  heroism  which  drove  Brennus   back  to  the  moun- 


80  THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAX. 

tains  and  refused  to  despair  after  Cannre,  we  may  discover  it  in 
the  revolution  and  siege  of  l»ome  in  1848  and  1849.  The  "liu- 
nian  plant"  in  Italy  ap]»cars  at  all  times  to  belong  to  the  soil 
and  the  sun :  capaltle  of  heroic  things  after  "the  iiigh  Koman 
fashion  ;"  also  wonderfullv  content  with  niaccaroni  and  the  bask- 
ing dolcefar  niinte,  ^vhich,  being  interpreted,  is  the  panem  et 
circensis  of  those  times  when  Home  was  mistress  of  the  world; 
and  as  handy  with  t^e  stiletto  as  once,  upon  those  historic  Ides 
of  March.  M-hen  the  blood  of  Giv;sar 

"Came  rushing  out  of  doors  to  be  resolved 
If  Brutus  so  unkindly  knocked  or  no." 

In  the  same  Avay  coidd  be  traced  old  resembhmces  in  the  fea- 
tures of  many  other  modern  nations — surviving  time  and  change, 
Siadj  apparently,  proving  the  truth  of  the  autocthonous  princi- 
ple." 

MoxTESGUiEU,  too,  rccogni/.es  the  controlling  influence  of 
ph^'Tsical  condition:  "  The  heat  of  tlie  climate"  he  says,  "may 
be  so  excessive  as  to  deprive  the  body  of  all  vigour  and  strength. 
Then  the  faintness  is  conveyed  to  the  mind;  there  is  no  curiosi- 
ty^ iio  noble  enterprise,  no  generous  sentiment ;  the  inclinations 
are  all  passive;  indolence  constitutes  the  utmost  happiness; 
scarcely  any  punishment  is  so  severe  as  the  action  of  the  soul, 
and  slavery  is  more  supportable  than  the  force  and  vigor  of  mind 
necessary  for  hu.Tian  action." 

"  It  is  the  difference  of  wants  in  different  climates,  that  first 
formed  a  difference  in  the  manner  of  ivi  ^,  and  this  difference 
of  living  gave  rise  to  tluxt  of  laws." 

"  The  goodness  of  the  land,  in  any  country,  naturally  estab- 
lishes sultjection  :tnd  obedience.  The  luidbundmen  who  compose 
the  principle  part  of  t  .e  people  are  not  very  jealous  of  their 
liberty^  'J hey  are  too  busy  and  too  intent  on  their  own  affairs. 
A  country  Avhich  overflows  with  wea  Ji,  is  afraid  of  pillage, 
afraid  of  an  enemy/' 

"  The  barren  ess  of  the  earth  renders  men  industrious,  sober, 
inured  to  hardship,  courageous  and  fit  for  war;  they  are  obliged 
to  procure,  by  labor,  what  the  earth  refuses  to  bestow  spontane- 
ously. The  fertility  of  a  country  gives  ease,  efteminacy,  and  a 
certain  fondness  for  the  preservation  of  life." 

The  improvement  of  social  condition,  from  primitive  times,- 
iiave  gradually  lessened  the  adverse  influences  of  riiYSiCAL  con- 
dition upon  human  development.  In  the  beginning,  men  were 
ignorantly  exposed  to  all  the  adverse  influences  of  the  elements 


THE  ilORAL  POWER  OF  MAX.  81 

and  propagated  the  conditions  which  the  elements  impressed  up- 
on them.  But,  -with  the  progress  of  intelligence,  habits  and  cus- 
toms, these  influences  have  been  greatly  modified.  Still,  all  the 
characteristics  of  man  are  affected  by  physical  condition  which 
must,  necessarily,  exercise  an  important  influence  upon  his  de- 
velopment, for  good  or  evil.  A  sterile  soil  and  an  invigorating 
climate  will  inevitably  produce  different  results  from  those  of  a 
fertile  soil  and  warm  latitudes.  The  difference  in  personal  appear- 
ance, manners,  customs,  laws  and  government,  are  often  great, 
always  perceptible. 

This  is  better  understood  when  we  reflect  that  the  great  im- 
pulse to  human  action  is  the  desire  to  better  our  condition,  and 
that  the  force  of  such  an  imjiulsc,  while  it  gives  to  human  thought 
and  action  all  of  their  variety,  is  greatly  dependent,  for  its  en- 
ergy and  character  upon  ])hy.-iciil  condition.  Indol'^nce  is  the 
natural  effect  of  some  climates  ;  energy,  that  of  others  and  such 
effects  of  climatic  influence  are  illustrated  in  the  history  of  every 
people — in  their  habits,  manners,  customs,  opinions,  laws  and 
religion. 

It  will  be  obiorvcd  that  in  this  discussion  mooted  questions 
are  avoided  and  e.^pcci  .lly  that  of  the  unihj  of  races.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  the  deduction  involved  to  show  that  physical  condi- 
tion has  produced  the  apparently  organic  differences  of  races, — 
It  is  only  necessary  to  assume,  which  all  admit,  that  physical 
condition  exerts  a  marked  influence  upon  the  animal  and  intel- 
lectual development  of  man,  and  it  is  only  necessary  to  compre- 
hend truly  the  extent  and  variety  of  the  influences  arising  from 
physical  condition,  to  account  for  most  of  the  differences  in  hu- 
man progress  and  civilization. 

But  we  must  give  to  physical  influence  its  full  significance 
when  estimating  its  effects  upon  human  development.  The 
physical  conditions  of  different  latitudes  are  not  alone  various  in 
their  influences ;  but,  the  same  latitude — the  same  people — are 
subject  to  various  physical  causes.  An  uncultivated  region  and 
one  refined  by  art ;  aflluence  and  poverty ;  health  and  disease — 
contribute  greatly  to  the  diversities  of  human  development. 

And  then,  too,  the  animal  instincts  which  we  have  in  common 

11 


M  THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  ilAX. 

ifith  the  brutes,  given  for  temporal  uses  and  for  tlie  promotion 
of  temporal  happiness,  owe  most  of  their  variety  of  development 
to  physical  inUuciice — to  the  diversities  of  external  physical  con- 
dition  or  to  impressions  transmitted  from  this  source  by  progon- 
itors.  To  this  last  class  of  physical  influence  much  of  the  va- 
riety of  form,  features,  and  incntal  temperament,  is  to  be  ascri- 
bed, and  it  need  not  be  argued,  that  these  impressions,  exert  a 
controlling  influence  over  human  action.  They  are  effects  of  the 
"la>YS  of  nature"  which  God  has  established  and  to  uhich  hu- 
man development  is  suhonlinate. 

Continued  prevalepce  of  animal  instinct,  appetite  or  passion, 
marks  the  expnusion,  which  often  strikingly  reflects  resemblan- 
ces to  animals  of  lower  grade.  Generations,  with  persistent  ef- 
fort, can  alone  relieve  "the  human  face  Divine"  of  tlie  degra- 
dation thus  stamped  upon  it.  Little  do  men  dream,  when  urged 
by  animal  desire  :  sated  witli  animal  gratiflcation :  bathed  in 
sensuous  aflluence  or  absorbed  in  sensuous  pursuits — that  they 
are  moulding  their  own  features,  and  those  of  their  offspring,  to 
reflect  their  beastly  instincts.  But  it  is  even  so.  Both  poverty 
and  riches  afiord  undue  excitation  to  the  animal  instincts  of  man 
and  being  first  in  the  order  of  development  they  soon  acquire 
predominance  in  the  mind,  and  tlieir  permanent  ascendancy, 
marks  the  expression  and  controls  his  action. 

But,  every  principle  in  nature  is  subservient  to  ilie  latv  of  pro- 
gress and  that  which  is  esteemed  evil  becomes  an  exciting  cause 
to  higher  conditioUi  There  is  a  countervailing  principle  in  the 
human  mind  to  this  tendency  to  degradation.  Love  of  the  beau- 
tiful and  abhorrence  of  deformity  is  universal,  and  there  is  noth- 
ing in  nature  which  so  impresses  the  mind  with  loveliness,  as  the 
expression  of  the  human  form  when  that  expression  exhibits  the 
perfect  development  of  man,  physicnl  and  moral,  and  thus  the 
race,  under  the  influence  of  innate  principles  is  unconsciously 
urged  forward  in  the  marcli  of  improvement. 

How  far  human  power  may  be  exerted  in  ameliorating  the 
evils  of  physical  condition  is  a  subject  of  profound  interest. — 
That  he  possesses  such  a  power — that  it  is  God-like  in  its  na- 
ture, "when  understood,  admits  of  no  doubt.  The  progress  of 
Science   and  Art,    from   the   twilight  of  history,  illustrates  the 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OP  ilA^f.  83 

power  of  man  over  physical  condition  and  as  Science  and  Art 
are  progressive  in  development   and  dissemination,  it  cannot  be 
doubted  that  the   power  of  man   over  physical   condition  is  DE- 
SIGNED to  be  indefinitely  extended.     The  exd  of  human  knowl- 
edge is   to  harmonize  the  iniluonccs  of  nature  with  the  highest 
development  of  the  physical  and  moral  constitution  of  man. — 
The  great  end  of  earthly  existence,  is  the  improvement  of  phys- 
ical, social  and  moral   condition  v>ith  a  view  to  the  rightful  de- 
velopment of  JIAX,  and  to  this  end  all  knowledge  must  be  subor- 
dinate.    Without  a  consciousness  of  such  design"  in  the  Crea- 
tion, the  votaries  of  Science  have,  blindly,  done  the  work  of  tho 
Designer.     Tlie   time  is  coining  when  they  will  understand 
the  design,  fixed,  irrevocable,  as  it  is,  and  intelligently,  with  the 
full  power  of  their  intellectual  nature,  work  for  its  accomplish- 
ment.    Then  physical  Science  will  more   successfully   explore 
the  hidden  influences  affecting  liuman  development  and  we  will 
hear,    no  more,    of  remedies  for  physical  or  moral  diseases, 
and,  investigation   will   probe  the    CAUSES  which  produce  them 
and  relieve  human  development  of  the  consequences.* 

*  "  The  ■whole  of  human  suionce  is  comprised  in  one  question:  How  cau 
the  ailvaataf^es  of  intellect  and  civilizatiun  be  reconciled  with  the  liberty 
and  pure  pleasures  of  natural  life?  IIow  can  vre  take  thebcnelits,  and  re- 
ject the  evils  of  the  system  which  is  now  interwoven  with  all  tiic  fibres  of 
our  being?  I  believe  that  abstinence  frjia  animal  food  and  spirituous  li- 
quors would  in  u  great  measure  capacitate  us  for  a  solution  of  this  impor- 
tant question." 

"  Crime  is  madness.  ^Madness  is  disease.  Whenever  the  cause  of  dis- 
ease shall  be  discovered,  the  root,  from  which  all  vice  and  misery  have  so 
long  overshadowed  the  globe,  will  lie  bare  to  the  axe.  All  the  exertions  of 
man,  from  that  moment,  may  be  considered  as  tending  to  the  clear  profit  of 
his  species." 

"  The  healthiest  among  us  is  not  exempt  from  hereditary  disease.  Tho 
most  symmetrical,  athletic,  and  long-lived,  is  a  being  inexpressibly  inferior 
to  what  he  would  have  been  had  not  tho  unnatural  habits  of  his  ancestors 
accumulated  for  him  a  certain  portion  of  malady  and  deformity.  In  tho 
most  perfect  specimen  of  civilized  man,  something  is  still  found  wanting 
by  the  physiological  critic." 

I  A  very  plausible  hypothesis  of  the  origin  of  many  of  the  evils  which  af- 
flict the  race  is,  that  custom  has  perverted  man  into  an  animal  of  prey. — 


84  TUB  MORAL  POWEK  OF  MAX, 

Physical,  as  intellectual  progress,  is  gradual.  It  obeys  the 
la-v\s  of  the  Great  Ruler,  the  operation  of  -which  Ave  trace, 
tl'.roughout,  in  the  Geological  history  of  the  Earth.  We  also 
trace  physical  progress,  uhen  MAN  is  made  its  agent,  in  the 
growth  of  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  and  the  whole  history,  physi- 
cal and  moral,  points  to  one  end,  tl'c  ;idvancing  development  of 
MAX.  Such  is  the  great  law  of  nature  to  which  matter  and 
mind  are  alike  subordinate — a  law  operating  silently — slowly 
and  irrevocably  from  the  very  constitution  of  matter  and  mind. 


That  the  properly  developed  mind  shrinks  with  horror  and  conscious  do- 
gradation  from  the  slaughter  of 

"The  lamb  thy  riot  dooms  to  bleed  to-day," 
Is  evidence  sulliciint  of  the  perversion,  however  it  originated,  whether 
from  needless  custom  or  from  an  original  necessity  of  our  nature. 

If  it  is  true  that  many  of  the  ills  to  which  human  life  is  heir  arc  attribu- 
table to  this  custom — to  this  degrading  iiabit  of  subsisting  upon  animal  food, 
then  the  question  should  be  considered,  if  question  it  is,  whether  health  and 
life  cannot  be  better  promoted  and  sustained  by  diet  mure  iu  harmony  with 
the  sentiments  of  our  higher  nature.] 

"The  story  of  Promefhous  is  one  which,  although  universally  admitted 
to  be  allegorical,  has  never  been  satisfuctDrily  explained.  Prometheus  st'lo 
fire  from  heaven,  utid  icas  chu  hied  for  this  crime  to  iloutd  Caucasus,  where 
a  Vulture  continunlly  devoured  his  lirer,  that  yrcw  to  meet  its  hunger,  lle- 
Biod  says,  that,  before  the  time  of  Prometheus,  mankind  were  exempt  from 
suffering;  that  they  enjoyed  a  vigorous  y-aith,  and  that  death,  when  at 
length  it  came,  approached  like  sleep  and  gently  closed  their  eyes.  Again, 
60  general  was  this  opinion,  that  Horace,  a  poet  of  the  Augustan  age, 
writes: — 

Thus  from  the  Sun's  ethereal  benm 
When  bold  Prometheus  stole  th'  enlivening  flame, 

Of  fevers  dire  a  ghastly  brood, 
Till  then  unknown,  the  unhappy  fraud  pursu'd  ; 

On  earth  tlieir  horrors  baleful  spread, 
And  tlic  pule  monarch  uf  the  dead, 

Till  then  slow  moving  to  his  pray, 
Precipitately  rai)id  Bwept  his  way. 

IIow  plain  a  language  is  spoken  by  all  this!  Prometheus  (who  repre- 
senis  the  human  race,)  effected  Hume  gr(  ai  djange  in  tl,o  condition  of  his 
nature,  and  applied  fire  t(i  cullinary  fnirpuscs ;  tnus  inventing  an  expedient 
for  screening  frimi  hisdisgu.st  the  iHinors  of  tlie  shambles.  From  this  mo- 
ment his  vitals  wore  devoured  by  the  vulture  of  disease.  Vice  aro.-e  fmm 
tlie  ruin  (if  hcalthrul  ionociMice,  and  Tyranny,  superstition,  and  inequality, 
were  then  first  known,  when  reason  vainly  attempted  to  guide  tho  wandei* 
ings  of  exacerbated  passion." — From  the  Notes  of  Shclli/^ 


Tiifc  luOTiAu  POWER  OF  ilA.N.  85 


Social  Condition, 

The  physical  conditions  of  life  have  been  referred  to  simply 

to  illustrate    their  influence  upon  the    development  of  mind. 

Such  illustrations  may  be  indefinitely  extended  from  science  and 
observation.  Indeed  these  influences  are  all  pervadino-  and  varr 
human  development  and  action  both  frcm  external  condition  and 
internal  organization.  Physical  health  and  benignity  of  mind 
•would  often  result  from  favorable  external  physical  condition 
were  it  not  for  inherited  detects  of  physical  organization.  And 
physical  health  of  body  and  mind  are  often  destroyed  and  dis- 
ease tronsmitted  through  evil  social  influences  operating  upon  a 
healthy  physical  organization.  Tlie  adaptation  of  physical  ex- 
ternal nature  to  the  constitution  of  man  is  a  branch  of  knowl- 
edge of  momentous  import  to  the  human  race.  PhysioJoo-y  is 
laying  the  foundation  of  that  science  which  explains  ourorn-anic 
diseases.  It  will  only  be  necessary,  to  account  for  all  the  phe- 
nomena of  human  thought  and  action,  that  the  influences  of  So- 
cial   Condition,  should  be  also  fully  investigated  and  explained. 

When  man,  under  physical  influ;  nces,  forms  society,  he  com- 
bines with  these,  the  Moral  influences  of  his  traditionary  or 
historic  charactci — the  manners,  customs,  laws,  religion,  govern- 
ment, in  which  he  has  been  educated.  The  conditions  of  Socie- 
ty may  be  classed    as   barbarous — semi-civilized — civilized. 

Each  of  these  are  different  modes  in  which  Society  has  been  ed- 
ucated. It  matters  not  whether  you  investigate  the  origin  of 
language,  manners,  customs,  laws,  religion  or  government,  you 
will  find  each  the  result  of  a  system  of  instruction  as  old  as  the 
Society  which  it  has  educated. 

It  is  the  natural  tendency  of  each  condition  of  society  to  per- 
petuate its  own  education,  and  man  would  have  remained  forever 
under  the  first  social  condition,  but  for  his  capacity  to  preserve 
his  experience  of  the  past  and  to  adapt  his  knowledge  to  the  as- 
sociations of  the  present.  To  the  progressive  improvement  of 
language  and  the  arts  of  writing  and  printing  he  owes,  mainly, 


9%  THE  MOHAL  rOWKE  OF  jIAX. 

the  preservation  of  Ins  vast  accumulation  of  kno-vrlc^l^c  anil 
those  diversities  of  social  education  which  characterize  the  na- 
tione.  Some  nations,  through  these  mediums,  are  blessed  tvith 
all  the  light  which  human  reason  has  shed  upon  life;  while  oth- 
ers, deprived  of  these  nicdiunis,  have  no  light  hut  their  own  tra- 
ditionary past.  Such  is  the  cane  with  most  Asiatic,  and  all  bar- 
barous nations,  in  wliich  society  is,  simply,  not  so  well  educated 
as  in  more  favored  States. 

In  some  States  there  is  refinement  of  manners,  humane  and 
moral  habits,  and  high  appreciation  of  Art. and  Science,  Reli- 
gion and  Philosophy.  If  Ave  would  know  why  this  is  so — HOW 
such  a  condition  of  Society  has  been  produced — the  causes  are 
easily  explained.  The  States  of  North  America,  for  instance, 
exhibit  prominent  developments  in  these  respects.  From  whence 
the  principles  thus  developed  in  us  ?  Almost  wholly,  first,  from 
England.  Trace  them  through  English  Society  and  you  find 
that  they  were  mainly  derived  from  other  nations  or  people — 
many  of  them  from  Rome — then  from  Greece — then  from  the 
earliest  historic  nations.*  Local  causes  may  vary  the  effect  of 
such  social  education.  Still  there  is  strong  similarity  in  the 
education  of  all  societies  whose  civilization  is  derived  from  a 
common  source. 

"We  may  further  appreciate  social  influence  by  observing  its 
practical  effects.     We  see   the  Lawyer  developing   his  mind  in 

*  After  the  expulsion  of  Tarquin  the  people  to  secure  their  rights  from 
powerful  factions  in  the  Senate,  and  to  prevent  the  cflects  of  civil  discord  ; 
were  obliged  to  modify  the  Constitution  by  new  regulations.  With  this 
view  the  Decemvirs  were  created.  Those  niagistraccs  by  adopting  from  the 
•wisdom  of  otlier  nations  what  appeared  worthy  of  selection,  formed  a  body 
ci  laws  called  the  Twelve  'Hahlas.— Tacitus. 

Theseus  was  the  sixth  in  descent  from  Erecthcus,  or  Ericthoiicus,  said  to 
be  the  son  of  Vulcan  and  Minerva,  or  Crar.jo,  granduughter  of  Orancusthc 
second  King  of  Athens  ;  bo  that  Plutarch  very  justly  says,  that  Thcseus 
was  deccnded  from  the  Antocthones  or  flrst  inhabitants  of  Attica,  who  were 
BO  called  because  they  pretended  to  be  born  in  that  very  conntry.  It  is 
generally  allowed,  however,  that  this  Kingdom  was  fotindod  by  Cocrops,  an 
Egyptian,  who  brought  hither  a  colony  of  Sailes,  about  the  year  of  tlio 
^orld  24i7,  before  Christ,  lYo'o.—Laujhornc'i  Plutarch. 


THE  IIOEAL  POWER  OP   ilA'X.  gf 

accordance  ^yitll  legal  decisions  and  opinions  running  through 
American,  English  and  Roman  history.  The  Statesman  forming 
his  opinions  from  the  accumulated  experience  of  the  civilized 
world  in  constitutional  and  international  law.  The  Physician 
adapting  his  practice  to  the  opinions  of  his  predecessors  in  tho 
Medical  Art.  Tho  Minister  recapitulating  the  doctrinal  opin- 
ions of  the  fathers  of  his  creed.  The  man  of  Science  or  Liter-* 
ature  laboriously  acquiring  the  knowledge  which  the  past  has 
accumulated  in  their  pursuits.  These,  however  important,  are 
far  from  being  the.  only  efficient  effects  of  social  education. — 
Habits,  manners,  customs,  constitute  not  the  least  important  in- 
fluences of  ment.il  development,  and  in  these  society  is  as  tho- 
roughly organized  and  educated  as  in  art  or  science  or  religion. 
It  is  true  formal  schools  are  not  established  for  the  transmission 
of  vicious  habits,  manners  or  customs ;  but  tho  influence  is  not 
the  less  eficctive,  as  drunkards,  gamblers  and  the  vicious  of 
every  cjlstc  and  grade  are  as  truly  the  result  of  socia}  education 
as  the  Lawyer,  Minister,  or  Physician.  It  is  a  matter  of  no 
surprise,  if  a  race  of  barbarians  transmit  their  barbarism  ;  if  in 
a  monarchy  or  llcpublic,  the  subjects  or  citizens  hold  opinions 
favorable  to  such  forms  of  government ;  or,  if  children,  trained 
under  the  tenets  of  any  religion,  hold  opinions  accordingly. — 
Nor,  should  it  be  matter  of  surprise  that  the  vicious  of  society 
should  make  their  impression  upon  those  within  their  influence. 
Vice,  in  all  its  forms — revolting  or  seductive  has  grown  with,  or 
survived,  the  generations,  by  the  force  of  example  and  by  imita- 
tion, and  upon  this  faculty  of  tho  mind  it  rests  mainly  for  per- 
petuity. Reason  condemns  it,  and  it  is  only  where  reason  is  un- 
developed or  defective  that  it  acquires  control. 

''The  more  carefully  we  examine  the  history  of  the  past,  the 
more  reason  shall  v/c  find  to  dissent  from  those  who  imagine  that 
our  age  has  been  fruitful  of  neto  social  evils.  The  truth  is  that 
the  evils  arc  with  scarcely  an  exception  old.  That  which  is  ncAV 
is  the  intelligence  which  discerns  and  the  humanity  which  rem- 
edies them."* 

In  all  its  departments,  whether  we  consider  the  power  of  tho 
Academy,  of  Religion,  of  Government,  of  manners  or  customs, 


MacauUii/,  Hist.  Enrj.   ]  o.'.  1,  p.  300. 


88  TllE  MOIJAL  POWER   OF  JJAX. 

Society  is  tlie  work  of  the  past.  Every  variety  of  mental  de- 
velopment, individual  or  social,  is  simply  an  effect  of  the  lessons 
of  the  past.  These  effects  under  the  unirersal  impulsion  to  bet- 
ter our  condition,  are  constantly  changing,  through  individual 
development ;  but  the  changes  of  the  present  are  the  lessons 
of  the  FUTURE,  and  the  social  condition  of  the  PRESENT  ever  re- 
mains the  EFFr.CT  of  the  past. 

Society,  then,  considered  in  relation  to  mental  development, 
presents  a  two-fold  aspect — as  effect  and  CAUSE.  Every  social 
condition  is  an  effect  of  preceding  physical,  social  and  mental 
causes.  This  is  true  at  all  times  and  of  all  nations.  Tiiey  inher- 
it their  physical,  social  and  mental  characteristics,  as  they  inher- 
it their  various  modes  of  civilization.  Those  characteristics  arc 
the  effects  of  the  past  and  in  their  transmission,  become  the 
causes  influencing  future  mental  development.  The  term  society 
may  be  considered  in  its  narrowest  or  broadest  sense — as  embra- 
cing, not  only  government  but  all  the  elements  which  comprise 
its  civilization-its  good  and  evil.  These  by  discipline  and  ex- 
ample are  transmitted.  This  is  not  more  true  of  the  diffusion 
of  knowledge  and  virtue  than  of  ignorance  and  vice.  The  com- 
mon drift  of  its  moral  world,  its  virtue  and  pollution  is  trans- 
mitted from  the  past  to  the  future  through  the  present. 

Those  who  have  reflected  upon  the  gradual  progress  of  Archi- 
tecture— upon  the  advancement  of  agriculture — upon  the  rise 
of  tl;e  Arts  and  Sciences,  and  the  general  diffusion  of  knowledge 
through  the  agency  of  the  human  mind,  while  they  realize  the 
law  of  progress  to  which  the  race  is  subjected,  will  conceive  that 
higher  physical  and  social  conditions  are  attainable.  IIow  far 
such  progress  is  influenced  by  society,  or  whether  wholly  accom- 
plished through  hnUtidiial  mental  development  is  submitted. — 
Galilleo,  'Bacon,  Newton,  rose  auove  the  society  in  which  they 
were  educated,  and  by  the  power  of  truth,  co-erccd  Social  opin- 
ion. Whether  all  the  movements  of  society  arc  not  thus  controll- 
ed is  worthy  of  reflection. 

"The  external  balance  of  nature  in  the  physical  world,"  says 
Allison,  "is  almost  entirely  preserved  by  the  counteracting  im- 
pulse of  opposite  forces,  either  simultaneously  acting  in  opposi- 
tion to  each  other,  or  mutually  succeeding  when  their  separate 
agency  is  required.     It  is  the  same  in  the  moral  ^orld:  action 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OP  MAN.  f» 

and  reaction  is  tlie  universal  law  of  human  affairs,  and  the  chief 
instrument  of  the  Divine  government  of  men.  In  the  Asiatfc' 
Empires,  as  there  is  no  internal  spring  giving  rise  to  this  alter- 
nation, it  is  provided  for  by  foreign  conquest ;  \n  Europe — at 
least  in  modern  times — the  source  of  it  is  found  in  the  prevailing 
impulse,  which  under  opposite  circumstances,  is  communicated 
to  the  human  mind.  The  provision  made  for  this  in  the  original 
constitution  of  man  consists  in  two  principles,  which  will  be  found 
to  be  of  uni  verbal  application,  that  the  great  bulk  of  men  blinijly. 
follow  any  impulse  which  is  communicated  to  th'erti  by  minda  of 
Superior  intelligence,  or  the  force  of  individual  interest;  and  that 
really  original  thinkers,  the  lights  of  their  own,  the  rulers  of  th* 
next  age,  almost  invariably  exert  tiicir  powers  in  direct  opposition 
to  the  prevailing  evils  with  which  they  are  surrounded.  Hence 
it  is  that  the  strong  intellects  in  a  despotic  community  ar«  al- 
most always  loud  in  praise  of  popular  institutions  and  the  princi- 
plei  of  self-government,  and  those  in  Democratic  States  equally- 
decided  in  support  of  the  principle  of  order  and  the  control  of 
property;  that  freedom  of  opinion  constituted  the  grand  deliver-, 
ance  for  which  the  religious  Reformers  of  the  sixteenth  century, 
contended,  and  unity  of  religious  faith  has  become  the  object  of 
devout  aspiration  in  the  nineteenth.  The  reason  is  obvious; 
creative  viinds  in  both  periods  were  brought  in  contact:  and  in 
both  instead  of  yielding,  strove  to  counteract  them..  The  grfeat 
majority  in  every  age  go  with  the  stream,  and  think  the?/  are  en- 
lightened tcheii  iheg  are  vierely  impregnated  with  the  mental  atmot' 
f  litre  with  ivhich  they  are  surrounded;  the  thinking  few  at  once 
break  oflf  from  the  multitude,  and  for  good  or  for  evil,  give  a  new 
direction  to  th'e  current  thought.  A  generation  must,'in  general^ 
descend  to  its  c-rave  before  the  conversion  takes  place;  but  though 
slow,  the  cft'ect  is  not  the  less  certain,'  "Show  me  what  one  or 
two  great  rnenj  in  the  solitude  of  their  chambers,  are  thinking  in 
this  age,  and  I  will  show  you  what  will  be  the  theme  of  the  orator 
the  vision  of  the  poet,  the  staple  of  the  busting,  the  declamation 
of  the  press,  the  guide  of  the  statesman,  in  the  next."  ' 

It  is  certainly  true  that  popular  opinion  becomes  in  the  prog- 
ress of  life  subordinate  to  individual  mental  development  and 
that  forms  of  government  of  every  character,  are  subordinate  to 
popular  opinion.  The  people,  under  the  influence  of  prejudice," 
riiay  temporarily  withstand  the  progress  of  truth;  and  govern- 
ment, by  force  of  arbitrary  power  or  rigid  discipline  may  for  a* 

12 


♦Jp:  TUB  MOBAL  TOWER  OF  MAS'. 

time  resist  vrcll  founded  popular  opinion;  but,  in  tlie  end,  history* 
shows  that  both  are  triumpbant.* 

Hence    the  vlcisitudcs   of    Empires.     National    Government 
commenced  with  despotism.     The  first  period,   beginning   with 
the  Egyptian,  and  ending  with  the  Persian  monarchies,    exhibit- 
ed the  extremes  of  the  despotic  form  and  begat  the   opposite  ex- 
treme in  the  Crrecinn  Kepublics  of  democracy.     This  latter  form 
was  continued  through  the  Roman    Republic,  modified    by    the 
conservative  clement  of  an  licrcditary  Senate  until  the  democrat- 
ic cloment  became  absolutely  controlling  when  despotism  neces- 
sarily resulted,  and  distinguished  the  government  of  the  leading 
nation  of  the  earth  for  a  thousand    years.     For    four    thousand 
years  government  oscillated,  with    some    modifications,  between 
the  extremes  of  democracy  and  despotism  and  since  the  middle 
ages  there  has  been  a  continuation  of  similar  political  phenome- 
na more  varied,  because  controlled  by  more  advanced  popular  in- 
telligence.    The  despotic   form  sprung  into  life  all  over   Europe 
and  for  long    governed  its  leading  nations  with  Eastern  tyran- 
ny until  the  danger  of  involving  the  other  extreme,  or  its  actual 
occurrence,  as  in  England  and   France,  taught  the    necessity  of 
modification.     Politically,  in    America,,  we  followed   the    exam- 
ple of  Greece,  and  passed  into  the  opposite  extreme — a  pure  de- 
mocracy, organized  it  is  true,  with  the  checks  suggested  by  th© 
experience  of  the  past,  but  still  giving  the  masses,  the  governing 
power. 

The  history  of  government  should  teach  us  that  despotism  is 
not  an  unmixed  evil,  or  democracy  an  unmixed  good.  In  the 
present  condition  of  popular  intelligence,  it  may  Avell  seem  that 
the  just  mean  of  a  well,  regulated  government  may  be  between 
the  two  extremes. 

In  the  present  condition  of  popular  intelligence  !  Popular  in- 
telligence is,  in  the  Providence  of  God,  designed  to  the  proguess- 


*  "Do  you  know,"  said  Napoleon,  "what  I  admire  most  in  the  world? 
Jt  is  the  -powcrlcssuesi  of  fore '.  to  found  (nn/t/tiiit/.  Thero  arc  only  tvrcr 
powers  in  the  world — the  tuvbrc  and  th.e  mind,  !ind  in  the  end,  the  f  .>riucr  is 
always  conquered  by  the  latter." 


THE  MOniL  POWITROF  MAX.  ^ 

ITE,  and  all  barriers  to  this  intellectual  progress  in  forma  of  gOT- 
ernment  must  be  removed  to  avoid  revolution,  and  to  conform  to 
the  moral  government  of  God.  Government  may  provide  for 
self-preservation,  but  it  must  bo  always  subject  to  this  divine  ac- 
cord. Its  end  and  aim  must  be  the  physical,  social  and  moral 
improvement  of  its  people  or  there  can  be  nothing  great  or  per- 
manent in  it. 

Wo  have  seen  in  human  history,   popular  intelUgcnco,  restive 
under  despotic   rule,  rush  into  democratic   anarchy.     We  have 
seen  it,  somewhat  sobered  by  the  lamentable  results,  blending  the 
extremes — circumscribing  by  written  constitutions,  the  power  of 
the  monarch,  or  its  democratic  representatives.     Ages  of  experi- 
ence have  been  employed  in  strengthening  the  cords  which  bind 
the  despot,  a,    sul)jcct  to  the    public  weal,  or    in  cooling  demo- 
cratic   zeal,  until    civil  and    political    liberty  have    attained  a 
strength  and    consistency    which   place  us    far  in    advance  of 
preceding  ages.     Still  civil  or  political    systems  have  no    wher« 
attained    that    settled,  permanent    and    enlightened    condition 
upon  which  the  mind  looks  Avith  complete  satisfaction,  and  this  is 
owing  to  the  fact  that  the  popular  mind  has  no  where  attained  a 
true    conception  of    the    proper   object    and    end   of  govern- 
ment.    Ambition,  which  animates  the  highest  popular  intelligence 
is  constantly  gazing  upon  its  glittering  prize    of  place  or  power 
and  like  avarice,  gloating  over  its  hoard,  dreams  not  that  the  on- 
ly rational  end  of  such  power  is  the  GOOD  to  be  accomplished  by 
it  in  the  physical,  social  and  moral  elevation  of  man.     When  the 
popular  mini  becomes  sufficontly   developed  to  appreciate  this 
great  truth,  it  will  institute  government  in  harmony  "with  human 
nature  and  the  Providence  of  God.     In  the  meantime  while  the 
conservatism  of  the  civil  and  political  intelligence  of  the  past  is 
involuntary,  reformers  must  be  content   with  such  forms  of  gov- 
ernment as  are  best  adapted  to   popular  moral   and  intellectual 
condition. 

When  society  is  animated  by  that  Tirtue  -which  desires  above 
all  thinj|;3  the  advancement  of  the  general  -Nvelfare  of  its  people-^ 


If  TilB  itOMlI.   POATIlU   0/  MAN'.; 

and  that  intelligence  -which  correctly  guides  the  moTements  jre- 
Bulting  from  such  desire,  virtue  and  intelligence  will  then  become 
the  standard  of  excellence  and  distinction,  privilege  and  powtr 
will  be  brought  to"rest  upon  a  natural  and  rational  basis. 

But  this  can  never  be  while  the  many  are  actuated  by  uncn- 
li'»htened  passion.  Thus  actuated,  as  history  abundantly  teach- 
es, they  must  sooner  or  later  take  refuge  in  arbitrary  power  or 
become  the  victims  of  popular  discord.  Still,  we  are  not 
without  hope,  that  some  at  least,  of  the  prominent  States  of 
Christendom,  have  sufficiently  advanced  in  popular  intelligence, 
to  preserve  their  civilization,  and  not  only  to  preserve  it,  but  to 
^eep  pace  with  the  law  which  forever_^ur^Qs^forwa;*d  the  eleva- 
tion of  p.^n. 

Plausible  theories  are  frequently  conceived  from  the  adoptioji 
of  which  individuals  and  society  often  suffer.  Among  the  most 
enlightened  nations,  in  all  ages,  the  intuition  of  higher  condition 
liaa  suggested  theories  of  social  organization  for  the  bette|r 
attainment  of  the  happiness  for  which  man  was  designed.* 

♦  Charles  Fourier  was  the  son  of  a  humble  shop-keeper  at|  Besancon.^ 
He  wag  himself  a  traveller,  doing  business  for  others  on  commisiBion  through- 
out France,  Germany,  Belgium  and  Holland.  He  served  for  a  t  mo  as  » 
private  soldier,  and  eventually  bccunie  a  clerk  in  a  mercantile  establish- 
meut.  lu  1807,  he  published  a  work  entitled  the  'J'heory  of  Four  Move, 
ments,  which,  though  able,  is  more  an  indication  of  his  views  than  an  expcv- 
aition  of  the  means  by  which  they  were  to  bo  attained  or  a  development  of 
their  theory.  His  principal  work  did  not  appear  till  fifteen  yeaiB  after. — 
in  it  he  follows  up  his  acute  criticism  on  the  errors  and  crimes  and  preju- 
dices of  old  society.  God,  man,  the  universe,  ccsmogony,  all  find  plate  in 
its  pages.  He  constructs  a  new  social  system  more  in  accordance  with 
•what  he  deems  the  laws  of  nature  and  the  universe.  With  unity  ot  sya- 
«cm  for  his  basis,  and  universal  analogy  for  his  guide,  ho  sets  out  with  har- 
inoniziiig  (not  subduing)  the  passion?",  and  proceeds  to  solve  the  great  pro. 
blcnis  which  social  science,  ethics  and  theology  present  to  the  mind  of  the 
moral  cosmogonist.  Improving  iipin  Bubeuf,  he  becks  to  render  labor  at. 
tractive  by  overcoming,  by  licicntific  and  mcclianical  appliances,  evcryt^iing 
which  can  make  labor  repulsive;  and  through  man's  industry,  aided  by 
■cieneo,  ,to  subdne  the  earth,  to  attemper  the  icy  atmosphere  of  the  polee 
Asd  the  burning  uiajoons  of  the  equator,  to  fertilize  the  ocean  sands,  to 
*«ii4#f '«ttlliT*bU  the  •DOW-coTcrcd  sjeppcs  of  Siboritt,  and  the  arid  deeerta 


THl  MORAL  POWBR  OP  MAX.  ^ 

■The  object  of  society  and  the  great  aim  of  govcrnm6nt  shouj^ 
.be,  the  advancement  of  the  general  "welfare  of  its  people,  and 
such  object  and  aim  are  in  accordance  with  the  law  of  progress. 
But  the  intellectual  and  moral  conditions  of  society  are  various 
in  development — variety  that  is  also  found  in  every  particular 
form  of  association.  If  the  masses  of  mankind  were  sufficiently 
enlightened  to  act  in  social  harmony  with  tlic  law  of  progress, 
isubordination  would  not  be  a  necessary  element  of  government. 
^ut  ambition,  popular  passion,  and  ignorance,  have  been  the  foes 


of  Africa,  and  to  raise  magnificent  palaces  amid  tlio  beautiful  gardens  with 
•which  thej  shonld  be  covered,  not  for  crowned  monarchg,  but  for  all  the 
family  of  man.  Idleness  would  be  unknown,  where  labor  is  made  attr«c- 
tive;  and  crime  would  cease  where  the  means  of  subeistence  by  moderate 
exertions  arc  placed  within  the  reach  of  all. 

The  reader  here  sees,  that  Fourier  aimed  to  do  what  Shelley  dreamed, 
rehabilitate  the  earth,  and  that  he  stands  to  Shelley  as  Paino  to  IlelTctiuk 
in  philopoithy. 

Science  may  yet  accomplish  mnch  in  the  direction  indicated  ;  in  attract- 
ing moisture  by  planting  trcci — in  protecting  from  hailstorms,  as  proposed 
by  M.  Arago — in  accelerating  germination,  by  electric  agency — in  draining 
fens  and  marshes,  by  the  power  of  steam — and  in  further  applying  the 
science  of  chemistry  to  th«  fertilization  of  the  soil.  But  Fourier,  like  his 
poet,  has  prophesied  much  more  than  the  present  state  of  the  sciences  war- 
rants us  in  anticipating  ;  and  wc  must  regard  his  glimpses  of  the  future  as 
the  brilliant  dreanilngs  of  an  imaginative  mind.  lie  foresaw  that  his  sys- 
tem would  be  regarded  as  an  imi)racticable  theory — a  dream-land  never  to 
be  realized,  never  to  be  reached  ;  and  he  CArnestly  desired  to  submit  it  to 
the  test  of  practice,  and  to  find  some  benevolent  and  wealthy  individual  to 
venture  the  experiment.  He  assures  riches  and  undying  fame  to  those  who 
would  become  the  founders  of  the  first  Phalanstery  or  Harmonic  Industrial 
Colony,  in  which  there  should  be  neither  poor  nor  rich — where  the  sick 
and  infirm  would  find  a  comfortable  asylum — where  industry  wonld  be 
scientifically  an(^  harmoniously  organized — whero  each  individual  would 
work  for  himtelf,  according  to  his  own  taste,  and  vary  his  occupation  as  of- 
ten as  ho  pleased — whero  all  the  children  would  bo  well-educated— when" 
the  hearts  and  minds  of  all  would  be  free  and  unshackled,  and  grateful 
man  would  incline  himself  before  his  Creator,  who  has  reserved  him  ft  j 
enjoyments  unknown  in  any  past  stmte  of  society.  Perfect  freedom  tr; 
boundlesi  prosperity  would  then  develop  all  the  noblest  sentiments  of  b_ 
minity,  and  happincsj  would  bo  iucreascd  by  tho  unirersalitj  of  it«  diffu- 
sion. 


-»*  THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAX. 

of  rfgulatctl  freedom  in  all  jigcs  and  the  masses  of  mankind  arr 
still  under  ihe.T  control.  Subordination,  even  in  the  most  en- 
lightened States  is  therefore  necessary  to  the  preservation  of  lib- 
erty and  the  general  pursuit  of  happiness,  and  must  continue 
necessary  in  the  progress  of  life  -vTliilc  differences  exist,  in  liuman 
development,  of  virtue  and  intelligence. 

For  long,  yet,  man  must  groan  under  the  evils  of  defective 
government,  simply  because  government  rtflects  the  popular 
mind  and  the  popular  mind  must,  for  long,  remain  ignorant  of 
all  the  means  essential  to  the  highest  temporal  happiness.  For 
Jong,  yet,  man  must  be  deceived  and  led  by  the  base  ambition  of 
kings  and  popular  leaders,  to  mutual  slaughter.  Popular  ig- 
norance— fruitful  source  of  social  woe — must  long  hold  the 
Classes  of  mankind,  the  slaves  of  narrow  and  corrupt  ambition. 

It  isthus  the  saying  is  rendered,  apparently,  true,  that  the 
.tendency  to  war,  in  human  affairs,  is  unavoidable.  But  it  is  only 
apparently  true ;  for,  if  true,  it  would  be  equivalent  to  the  as- 
sertion that  man  was  not  created  for  happiness  but  for  misery — 
was  not  created  for  improved  condition,  physical  and  social — but 
for  perpetual  debasement — was  not  created  to  attain  intellectual 
ascendancy,  but  to  be  forever  savage — the  slave  of  animal  pas- 
sion. 

No;  the  tendency  to  war  arises,  from  the  passions  of  those 
who  administer  public  affairs,  often  seconded  by  an  ignorant  pop- 
ulace, governed  by  propensities  easily  excited  to  frenzy,  where 
physical  and  social  diversities  are  brought  in  conflict. 

Such  were  the  causes  of  the  civil  war  through  which  the 
States  of  North  America  are  passing.  It  was  iiot  an  unavoid- 
able calamity-.  It  is  true  that  it  resulted  from  antecedent  causes ; 
but  it  is  not  true  that  these  causes  were  uncontrollable.  The 
only  things  proved  by  the  revolution  is  the  incompetency  of 
those  who  controlled  public  affairs  and  the  ignorance  of  their 
Tictima — the  people. 

This  is  better  appreciated  when  we  consider  the  causes  whick 
produced  the  revolution.  Prominent  among  these  was  the  mark- 
td  difference   in  industrial   pursuits    arising  from   diffcr«nc«  of 


TII3  MOR'AL  POWjni  OF  MIX.  j^- 

pbjsical  condition  producing  diversity  of  interests.  Upon  this 
original  c»usc,  another,  in  the  mysterious  order  of  Providence, 
"was  superinduced — industrial  and  moral — the  institution  of  sla- 
very. 

Now,  if  it  is  apparent,  as  it  must  be  to  all  "wcll-informed 
minds,  that  the  difference  in  physical  condition  and  undustrial 
pursuits  was  a  circumstance  which  should  have  heightened  the 
mutual  interest  subsisting  between  the  States :  And,  if  it  is 
equally  apparent,  that  the  institution  of  slavery,  if  right  in  it- 
self, should  not  have  been  disturbed ;  if  wrong,  should  have 
been  left  to  the  gradual  elevation  of  opinion  and  the  progress  of 
moral  force  by  which  alone  all  permanent  reformation  is  accom- 
plished, then  we  discover  how,  with  superior  intelligence,  the  re- 
sult might  have  been  avoided. 

Was  the  sword  the  only  effectual  arbiter  of  the  differences 
which  distinguished  the  sections  ?  "Was  there  no  other  mode  for 
the  northern  man  who  said  "  slavery  must  be  abolished  and  you 
and  I  must  do  it  !"  No  other  for  the  Southern  man  but  to  an-- 
ticipate  aggression  and  precipitate  the  collision  !     • 

"  If  thine  enemy  take  thy  cloak  give  him  thy  coat  also,"  is  a 
precept  which  found  no  application  between  sections  mutually 
professing  its  obligation.  The  public  weal  had  been  supplanted 
by  corrupt  ambition ;  forbearance  and  humanity  by  malignant 
hatred,  and,  discarding  the  force  of  reason,  the  appeal  was  made 
to  the  force  of  arms.  Without  that  composure  which  ever  at- 
tends adequate  intelligence — but  fiend-like,  those  who  contributed 
to  force  upon  the  South  an  institution  for  the  existence  of  which 
the  present  generation  was  in  no  way  responsible,  carried  their 
aggressions  to  the  point  of  violence — led  thousands  of  .their  own 
section  to  misery  and  slaughter  and  consigned  the  fairest  por- 
tion of  the  earth  to  woe  and  desolation. 

And  however  the  etid  of  the  struggle  may  affect  the  causes  of" 
the  revolution,  there  will  be  nothing  in  that  end  to  compensate 
for  the  absence  of  higher  intelligence  and  a  wiser  policy. — 
France  emerged  red  with  bltod,  from  the  reign  of  the  Bourbons, 
but  she  carried  her  chains,  through  the  carnage,  that  followed, 
to  be  rivited  by  Napoleon.  She  was  enslaved  by  physical,  so-' 
cial  and  moral  condition,  and  though  these  conditions  have  beec. 


(,8  TJfE  MORAL  I'OAEB  OP  MAX. 

ameliorated,  tliej  still  hold  her  subject  to  the  dominion  of  the 
sword. 

Such,  too,  is  the  history  of  the  great  English  Rebellion. — 
Obeying  the  impulse  to  higher  condition,  which  desire  affords 
and  vrhich  reason  failed  to  regulate,  a  nation  was  convulsed  with 
civil  war  an<l  upon  the  subsidence  of  popular  passion  it  was  dis- 
covered that  the  habits,  manners  and  customs  of  the  people  had 
undergone  no  change  and  that  the  sjstem  of  government  which 
had  been  ovcrthrowii  "^as  the  tys^rm  best  adapted  to  their  physi- 
cal, social  and  mental  condition. 

We  also  in  these  States  arc  subject  to  physical,  social  and 
moral  conditions  -which  revolution  may  ameliorate  or  modify,  but 
cannot  otherwise  change.  Sun  and  soil  will  forever  distinguish' 
the  Southern  and  Northern  mind.  Physical  diversities  will  con- 
tinue, and  continue  to  diversify,  social  and  moral  condition,  and 
causes  of  collision  will  again  arise  which  ignorance  and  passion" 
may  foment  into  war,  but  which  adequate  intelligence  may  con-' 

vert  to  peaceful  and  beneficent  il^es. 

*.         .  .  » 

Such  direction  might  have  been  ^^iven  to  the  events  which  haye 

culminated  in  the  civil  war  of  North  America,  as  will  doubtless' 
be  fully  indicated  by  the  future  historian.  Man's  thirst  for 
blood  is  not  insatiable.  The  ascendancy  of  the  malevolent  pas- 
sions, is  not  permanent,  and  when  the  hour  for  reflection  comes, 
and  reason  resumes  her  throne,  the  South  and  North  will  discov- 
er that  they  have  gained,  nothing  but  a  sad  lesson  from  cxperi-^ 
once,  and  that,  contiguous  territory  and  mutual  interests  should' 
have  forever  bound  them  together  in  fraternal  progress. 

But  lef  human  government  rise  or  decay  as  it  may,  we  are  be- 
girining  to  conceive  the  great  truth  that  man  is  controlled  by  a 
Providence  of  ])erfcct  wisdom,' ever  advancing  him  to  higher  and 
higher  conditions — a  Wisdom  comprehending  the  beginning  and 
the  end. 

The  IIic.irER  Law — a  law  controlling  all  nature,  material  and' 
moral — overruling  all  governments  and  constitutions — has  been 
demonstrated.  Undefined  conceptions  of  this  law  have  found 
expression  in  political  histor}-- ;  but  as  the  law  was  imperfectly 
CCDceivcd  the   conclusions   founded   upon  it  have  been  more  or 


THE  MORAL  POW£R  OP  HAY.  01 

less  erroneous.  The  law  is  that  of  Progress — its  design  the  re- 
moval of  evil — physical  and  moral  in  the  order  of  the  creation, 
— and,  the  harmony  of  all  nature.  On  earth,  -ne  do  not  antici- 
pate this  perfection  as  that  is  inconsistent  with  the  nature  of 
earthly  organization.  From  the  history  of  the  past  we  can  only 
conclude  that  as  harmony,  physical  and  moral,  has  steadily  a(J- 
vanced  in  the  creation,  that  it  will  continue  to  do  so  until  physi- 
cal and  moral  nature  becomes  coxsistext  with  their  hi<rhest  con- 
ceivable  teirporal  conditions. 

If  we  reflect  upon  the  social  condition  of  man  in  his  highest 
state  of  civilization,  it  will  be  readily  conceived  that  it  is  far  re- 
moved from  the  condition  to  which  society  may  attain  in  the  pro- 
gress of  life.  But,  we  must  not  forget  that  this  progress  is  con- 
trolled by  Infinite  Wisdom  and  not  by  man.  Most  frequently, 
it  seems,  when  he  would  advance  it  under  some  favorite  theory, 
be  but  furnishes  a  beacon  to  warn  the  future  of  error. 

Government  in  its  best  forms  has  hitherto  been  cimply  conser-- 
vative.  Self  preservation  may  be  a  duty — but  it  is  more  cer' 
tainly,  under  all  circumstances,  an  interest  felt  }i-j  associated 
power.  The  advancement  of  the  f  opular  welfare'  is  the  work  of 
popular  intelligence,  and  it  has  generally  made  its  way  over  the 
ruins  or  the  resistance  of  government.  It  is  only  where  the 
government  has  no  interest  to  suffer — no  power  to  lose — that  it 
co-operates  with  or  assents  to  the  promotion  of  the  general 
welfare.  And  even  in  these  instances  government  is  ccntrollcd 
by,  and  does  not  control  popular  intelligence. 

We  may  then  look  to  popular  intelligence,  as  the  effect  of  in- 
dividual development,  for  the  control  of  government.  Govern- 
ment may  therefore  be  made  to  promote  the  general  welfare  un- 
der the  direction  of  popular  intelligence,  as  it  is  often  made  to 
increase  social  calamity  from  popular  ignorance. 

In  order  to  the  proper  influence  of  government,  popular  in- 
telligence must  investigate  and  explore  the  causes,  physical,  so- 
cial, and  moral,  which  produce  evil  development.  Many  of 
them  are  already  known  and  others  will  be  discovered.  One 
generation,  or  many,  will  not  witness  their  entire  removal.  It 
ia  enough  that  they  may  be  gradually  extinguished  or  supplant- 

13 


9s  THE  MORAt  TOWER   OP  MAX. 

cd  by  higher  incentives  to  mental  energy.  In  this  work,  so  fuL 
ly  in  accordance  with  the  design  of  Pi*ovidencc  and  human  na- 
ture, government  may  be  beneficially  employed.  It  may  not  do 
much  through  law — but  it  can  be  made  to  give,  as  popular  intel- 
ligence and  virtue  advances,  the  weight  of  its  influence  against 
all  habits,  customs,  or  opinions,  which  deprave  the  mind.  It 
may  bo  made  to  exhibit  a  standard  higher  than  wealth  or  official 
power,  for  the  mind,  and  substitute  for  the  greed  of  wealth  and 
high  position,  the  desire  for  eminence  in  intelligence  and  virtue. 
When  to  this  is  added,  that  it  may  be  made  instrumental  in 
amelorating  physical  condition,  ;ind  in  the  diffusion  of  useful 
knowledge,  popular  intelligence  may  appreciate  the  importance 
of  a  power  subservient  to  its  dictates. 

Government  is  not  more  dependent  upon  popular  intelligence 
than  the  latter  is  upon  individual  deveolpmcnt.  Here,  after  all, 
is  the  foundation  upon  which  the  superstructure  rests.  Herein 
the  medium  through  which  civilization  advances.  It  is  this 
which  PRESERVES  and  advances,  manners,  customs,  art,  science, 
religion,  phylosophy,  government.  Neglect  or  pervert  this  and 
civilization  declines.  Advance  it,  even  in  one  individual,  and 
society  feels  the  impetus  of  additional  energy.  Luther  disen- 
thralled the  Christian  world — Hampden  fired  anew  the  spirit  of 
liberty — Bacon  gave  philosophy  its  rules,  and  Watt,  to  science, 
vast  practical  beneficence. 

The  conclusion  is  unavoidable— arid  common  sense  will  recojc- 
nize  its  truth  in  all  its  force  ;  as  in  physical  and  social  condition 
arc  to  be  found  all  the  sources  of  false  mental  development  it  is 
only  by  the  improvement  of  these  conditions  of  life  that  thd 
physical  and  moral  evils  incident  to  us  are  to  be  avoided.  The 
man,  who  to  rear  his  children  fixes  upon  a  locality  where  he  can 
best  unite  the  advantages  of  healthy  physical  condition,  witH 
cultivated  society,  is  governed  at  once  by  common  sense  and  the 
soundest  philosophy.  Invest  physical  and  social  condition  with 
every  favorable  incentive  to  physical  and  mental  development; 
and  divest  them  of  all  adverse  influences  and  man  is  developed 
to  his  highest  temporal  condition. 

How  the  evils  of  these  conditions  arc  te  bo  removed  or  abated 


THB  MORAL  PQWEB  OP  MAX.  9^ 

can  only,  In  the  order  of  nature,  be  gradually  discovered:  In- 
dividual development  must  first  detect  the  cause  and  conse- 
quences of  the  evil.  Popular  opinion  must  then  be  concentra- 
ted upon  the  cause  and  the  effect,  and  then  in  Trhatever  depart- 
ment or  form  of  association  the  evil  may  exist,  there  will  be  lit- 
tle difficulty  in  the  mode  of  removal.  The  great  difficulty  is  in 
enlightening  public  opinion,  and,  impatient  of  the  slow  process 
philanthropy  has  time  and  again  attempted  through  the  power 
of  the  State  the  Church  or  the  Press,  to  force  or  to  anticipate 
a  change  of  public  opinion.  In  this  Mahomet  was  fortunate  in 
uniting  the  religious  andjegarpanctions  against  the  use  of  in- 
toxicating drinks,  a  social  habit  in  the  more  civilized  states 
fraught  with  innumerable  woes.  But,  in  general,  public  opinion 
holds  all  enactments  as  arbitrary  when  passed  in  opposition  to 
such  opinion  and  hence,  to  place  all  reformation  upon  a  firm  and 
enduring  basis  it  is'cssential  that  public  opinion  should  be  first 
educated  to  unite  with  common  consent  in  the  process  of  refor- 
mation. Then  all  difficulties  disappear — all  barriers  are  re- 
moved. 

Nor,  though  the  process  be  slow  should  we  be  hopeless  of  itg 
accomplishment.  If  we  reflect  upon  the  oppressions  of  govern- 
ment which  advanciuf^  popular  opinion  has  thrown  off;  if  we  re- 
flect upon  the  cruelties  of  religion,  which  are  now  regarded  with 
universal  abhorencc  ;  if  we  think  of  the  social  barbarism  frora 
which  we  have  emerged, — from  which  we  have  been  lifted  by  a 
beneficent  Providence  ;  we  have  abundant  reason  for  comfort 
and  hope  in  the  progressive  development  of  the  human  mind  and 
the  abatement  of  evil. 

Animal  preceeds  intellectual  development,  and  hence  the 
prevalence  of  perverted  appetite  and  passion.  Physical  and 
social  condition  begin  their  formation  of  animal  habits,  which 
often  acquire  the'foroe  of  nature  and  hold  in  subjection,  for  life, 
the  higher  qualities  of  man.  To  direct  or  regulate  the  for- 
mation of  such  habits,'"soci:il  and  individual  influence — all  the 
motives  operating  on  the  development  of  mind,  should  be  made, 
to  exert  their  hnppicst  effort.     Government,  in  the  administra- 


100  fEB  MOBA.L  POWKR  OP  mSS.] 

tion  of  JUSTICE,  should  not  confine  its  effort  to  vm(lictivc''pun- 
iabment ;  but  should  address  itself  to  the  removal  of  the  sources 
from  -whence  evil  is  transmitted.  Medicine  should  reveal  the 
latent  causes  of  physical  disease,  and  Religion,  the  causes  of 
vice.  Instead  of  this,  the  destitute  of  physical  comfort  ami  in- 
telligence arc  unrelieved  Ijy  govennmcnt  and  sources  of  physical 
disease  and  moral  depravity  receive  the  sanction  of  law.  M^cd- 
icine  and  religion  find  that  they  have  relieved  physical  and  mor- 
al disease  only  to  renew  their  efforts  upon  other  victims.  Such 
'  has  been  the  experience  of  man  in  his  relation  to  Government 
Medicine  and  Religion,  and  it  explains  the  reason  of  their  viciB- 
situdes  in  human  affiiirs,  which  must  ever  continue  as  they  are 
defective  in  promoting  the  highest  physical,  social  and  moral 
development  of  man.  The  great  error  lies  in  this,  that  no  sys- 
tem of  Government,  INIcdicine  or  Religion  has  addressed  itself 
to  the  causes  producing  evil,  and  that  the  object  of  all  systems 
lias  been  almost  wholly  remedial. 

"The  gorernment  of  man  "  says  Dr.  Reid,  "is  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  noblest  exertions  of  human  power.  And  it  is  of  great 
importance  that  those  who  have  any  share,  either  in  domestic  or 
civil  government,  should  know  the  nature  of  man,  and  how  he  is 
to  be  trained  and  governed. 

I  apprehend,  therefore,  that,  if  ever  civil  government  shall 
be  brought  to  perfection,  it  must  be  the  principal  care  of  the 
State  to  make  good  citizens  hj  proper  education,  and  proper  in- 
struction and  discipline. 

The  most  useful  part  of  Medicine,  is  that  which  strengthens 
the  constitution  and  prevents  diseases  by  good  regimen  ;  the  rest 
is  somewhat  like  proping  a  ruinous  fabric  at  great  expense  and 
little  purpose.  The  art  of  government  is  the  medicine  of  the 
mind  and  the  most  useful  part  of  it  is  that  which  pj'events  crimes 
and  bad  habits,  and  trains  men  to  virtue  and  good  habits,  by 
proper  education  and  discipline. 

That  m«n  in  general  will  be  good  or  bad  members  of  society, 
according  to  the  education  and  discipline   by   which  they  have 
'    been  trained,  experience  may  convince  us." 

The  removal  of  the  sources  of  evil  from  the  conditions  of  life, 


TfiS  MOKli.  POW£Ii  OF  ttJLN.  101 

phjsical  and  moral,  illustrates  the  Proyidence  of  God,  and  when 
"vre  shall  successfully  explore  these  sources,  and  understand  the 
nature  of  man,  we  will  possess  a  basis  of  moral  philosophy  upon 
■which  a  system  may  be  built  in  accordance  with  perfect  wisdom. 
"  Know  thyself"  will  then  become  the  lesson  of  life^and  science, 
no  longer  confined  to  remedies  for  physical  and  moral  disease, 
will  anxiously  investigate  the  causes  which  produce  it  and  the 
sources  from  whence  it  springs. 


On  Mcntnl  Development. 

If  the  causes  operating  in  the  production  of  every  variety  of 
mental  development  have  been  indicated,  the  object  is  accom- 
plished. It  only  remains  to  glance  at  the  mental  agency  upon 
and  through  which  these  causes  operate. 

It  is  not  proposed  to  write  a  system  of  the  mind.  Its  quali- 
ties have  been  sufficcntly  explained  for  the  purpose  in  view.  It 
is  only  necessary  to  assume,  and  the  assumption  will  be  recoo-- 
nized  as  true  by  the  learned  and  unlearned,  that  the  faculties  or 
qualities  «f  mind  are  innate — instincticive — and  spontaneous- 
ly developed  in  some  form;  the  form  of  development  being  de- 
pendeijt  on  physical,  social  and  moral  condition. 

Nor  is  it  proposed  to  perfect  a  natural  system  of  education 
for  a  mind  thus  endowed  by  nature  the  culture  and  development 
of  which  is  subject  to  such  conditions.  It  will  be  gratifying  if 
a  conception  of  the  true  nature  of  the  human  mind  is  imparted 
and  the  conditions  controlling  its  culture  indicated.  When  we 
reflect  that  upon  such  culture  depends  the  progress  of  the  race 
the  advancement  of  social  happiness  and  national  greatness, 
it  is  surely  no  light  consideration  to  explore  a  source  of  so  muck 
happiness  or  misery. 

The  PHILOSPHY  OF  LIFK,  it  is  believed,  has  been  made  to  ap- 
pear in  its  Progress,  from  the  early  combinations  of  matter  to 
the  creation  of  man ;  from  the  early  development  of  mind  to  it3 


^^^  THE  MORAL  POWER  OP  MAN. 

prestnt'condltion  of  expansion  and  improvement;  and,  in  afford- 
ing the  unavoidable  inference  of  continued  and  perpetual  pro- 
gressive mental  development. 

"  If  the  pbysicaljKistory  of  the  globe   clearly  indicates   pro- 
gression in  an  advanding  series  of  changes,  the  civil   history  of 
man  equally  proclaims  the  march,  although  often  vacillating  and 
slow,  of  moral  and  intellectual  improvement.     At   the   time   of 
the  Roman  invasion,  the  inhabitants  of  Britain  lived  as  savages, 
and  appeared  in  painted  skins.     After  the  Norman  conquest,  one 
'  part  of  the  nation  was  placed  in  the  condition  of  serfs,  and  con- 
demned to  labor|^Iike  beasts   of  burden,   while  another   devoted 
themselves  to  war,  tlicy  fought  battles  during  the  day,    and  in 
the  night  probably  dreamed  of  bloodshed  and  broils.    Next  came 
the  age  of  chivalry.     These  generations  severally  believed  their 
own  condition  to  be  the  permanent  and  inevitable  lot  of  man. — 
Now,  however,  have  come  the  present  arrangements  of  society, 
iiQ  which  millions  of  men  are  shut  np  in  cotton  and  other  manu- 
torics  for  ten  or  twelve  hours  a-day  ;  others  labour  under  ground 
in  mines ;  others  plough  the  fields  ;  while   thousands  of  higher 
rank  pass  their  whole  lives  in  idleness  and  dissipation.     The  el- 
ementary principleSj'both  of  mind  and  body,  were  the  same   in 
our  painted  ancestors,  in  their  chivalrous  descendants,  and  in  us, 
their  shop-keeping,  manufacturing  and  money-gathering  children. 
Yet  how  different  the  external  circumstances  of  the  individuals 
of  these  severargcncrations !     If,  in  the  savage  state,  the  inter- 
nal faculties  of  man  were  in  harmony  among  themselves,  and  if 
his  external'conditnio  was  in  accordance  with  them,  he  must  thep 
have  enjoyed  all  the  happiness  that  his  nature  admitted .  of,  and 
must  have  erred  whfn  he  changed  ;  if  the  institutions  and   cus- 
toms of  the  age  of  chivalry  were  calculated  to  gratify  his  whole 
nature  harmoniously,  he  must  have  been  unhappy  as   a   savage, 
and  must  be  miserable  now  ; — if  his  present  condition  be  the  per- 
fection of  his  nature,  he  must  have  been  far  from  enjoyment, 
both  as  a  savage  and  a  feudal  warrior  ; — and  if  none   of  these 
conditions  have  been  in"accordance  with  his  constitution,  he  must 
still  have  his  happiness  to  seek.     Every  age,  accordingly,   has 
testified  that  it  was  not  in  possession   of  cont-?ntment ;  and  the 


THB  MOUAL  POWER  OP  MAN.  1(J3 

^(ucstion  presents  itself  if  human  nature  has  received  a  definite 
constitution,  and  if  one  arrangement  of  external  circumstances 
be  more  suited  to  yield  it  gratification  than  another,  what  are 
that  constitution  and  that  arrangement  ?  No  one  among  the 
philosophers  has  succeeded  in  informing  us. — If  we  in  Brittain 
have  not  reached  the  limits  of  attainable  perfection,  what  are  wo 
next  to  attempt  ?  Are  we  and  our  posterity  to  spin  and  weave, 
build  ships,  and  speculate  in  commerce,  as  the  highest  occupations 
to  which  human  nature  can  aspire,  and  persevere  in  these  la- 
bours till  the  end  of  time  ?  If  not,  who  shall  guide  the  helm  in 
our  future  voyage  on  the  ocean  of  existence  ?  and  by  what  chart 
of  philosophy  shall  our  steersman  be  directed  ?  The  British  arc 
here  cited  as  a  type  of  mankind  at  large ;  for  in  every  age  and 
in  every  clime,  similar  races  have  been  run,  and  with  similar  con- 
clusions. Only  one  answer  can  be  returned  to  the  inquiries. — 
Blanjs  eviJenthj  a  progressive  being ;  and  the  Creator  having 
designed  a  higher  path  for  him  than  for  the  lower  creatures,  has 
given  him  intellect  to  discover  his  own  nature  and  that  of  ex- 
ternal objects,  and  left  him,  by  the  exercise  of  that  intellect,  to 
find  out  for  himself  the  method  of  placing  his  faculties  in  har- 
mony among  themselves,  and  in  accordance  with  the  external 
world.  Time  and  experience  are  necessary  to  accomplish  these 
ends,  and  history  exhibits  the  human  race  only  in  a  state  of  pro- 
gress towards  the  full  development  of  their  powers,  and  the  at- 
tainment of  rational  enjoyment."* 

It  has  also  been  shown  that  all  forms  of  associated  life 
have  resulted  from  individual  development,  and,  we  are  thus 
brought  to  that  subject  upon  which  rests  the  highest  interests  of 
existence.  Let  us  enter  upon  it  with  a  clear  view  of  the  premi- 
ses that  our  conceptions  may  harmonize  with  the  character  of 
the  creation.  In  order  to  do  this,  the  following  demonstrable 
truths  must  be  clearly  apprehended  : 

1st.  The  order  of  the  creation,  material  and  mental,  is  Pro- 
gressive. 

2nd.  Mental   Progress  is  dependent  on  the   improvement  of 
physical,  social  and  moral  condition. 
*  Coubo's  Cua.~li:uJ.o:i  of  Man. 


101  THK  KOHAL   POWEK  OP  MAX. 

J^d.^.These'/conditions'^the  enlightened  mind  is  capable,  in  a 
great  degree,  of  appreciating  and  they  have  been,  and  -ffill  coiN 
tinuCgto  be,  greatly  improved  through  individual  development. 

It  is  hardly  ncce-^sary  to  recapitulate.  Progress  is  stamped 
upon  all  things,  and  the  Law  maybe  read  by  all  men.  Physical 
condition  may  not  hare  produced  all  the  varieties  of  the  human 
race,  but  its  inllucncc  upon  man  has  been  certainly  as  great  as 
upon  the  fauna  and  flora  of  the  earth,  "while  social  and  moral 
characteristics.  When  these  conditions  are  favorable  to  mental 
derelopment,  the  mind  is  brought  to  keflect  upon  them  as  the 
causes  controlling Jts^^dcvelcpment  and  to  inyestigate  the  source* 
of  good  and  evil. 

We  are  agents — and  agents  of  advancing  intelligence  in  the 
improvement  of  physical  and  social  condition  to  which  our  Crea- 
tor has  subjected  th^^  development  of  mind.  That  these  condi- 
tions haTe  been  improved  through  the  agency  of  man  the  history 
of  civilization  attests,  and  as  fully  attests  the  design  of  the 
Creator  to  be  continued  improvement  of  these  conditions. 

It  is  indeed  the  highest  prerogative  of  the  human  mind  to 
ameliorate  the  conditions,  physical  and  social,  affecting  mental 
deyelopment.  The  advancement  of  agriculture — the  growth  of 
commerce  and  progress  of  the  arts  and  sciences  are  illustrations 
of  the  ascendency  of  mind  over  physical  condition,  and  the  im- 
provement of  customs,  manners,  literature,  philosophy,  law  And 
relio'ion,  affords  abundant  evidence  of  power  over  social  and 
moral  condition. 

This  ascendency  of  mind  is  dependent  for  its  successful  devel- 
opment upon  physical,  social  and  moral  condition  o})erating  u])- 
on  the  natural  impuUe  to  higher  condition  by  which  we  are 
moved.  Without  this  impulse  man  would  struggle  in  vain 
against  physical,  social  and  moral  condition  ;  but  with  the  natu- 
ral impulse  to  happiness  enlif/htencd,  defective  physical,  social 
and  moral  condition  may  be  ameliorated  and  improved.  While 
the  inert  mind  of  Asia  and  Africa  is,  apparently,  buried  forever 
under  the  weight  of  adverse  conditions,  the  more  fortunate  races 
have  been  advancing  with  accelerating  strides  for  centuries  to' 
mental  ascendency. 


TIJK  MOKAL  POWER  OF  MAN\  10.3 

•So  thi'it  physical,  social  anil  moral  couilition  is  not  only  the 
cause  of  continued  Larbarisro,  but  of  ailvancin;';;  civilization. — 
Tiie  difference  results  from  the  differenoe  in  thci-c  conditions  and 
the  further  AVC  adnmce  in  overcoming  their  evil  influences  the 
iiigher  the  human  mind  rises  in  civilization  and  the  more  fully  it 
is  made  to  comprehend  the  causes  aftecting  its  development. 

When  therefore,  we  speak  of  education  our  eonception  is  im- 
perfect if  we  do  not  include  all  the  intlueuccs,  good  and  bad, 
arising  from  these  cDuditions. 

Wheu  thus  conceived  we  arc  immediately  brought  face  to  face 
wiith  the  causes  producing  all  tlie  phcuomena  of  human  aotiun. 
There  i.s  no  A-ariety  of  mental  development  which  Ave  nuiy  not 
tlien  truce  to  its  origin.  Whether  it  proceeds  from  favorable  or 
defective  physical  condition — from  social  vice  or  virtue — from 
ignorance  or  intelligence,  the  cause  is  before  us. 

It  has  been  shown  that  our  mental  power  is  .sruouDiXATU  to 
the  progressive  order  of  the  Creation  aiul  that  mental  develop- 
ment is  dependent  upon  the  ph^-sical,  social  and  moral  condi- 
tions of  life.  Physical,  social  and  mural  condition,  subject  to 
the  law  of  progress,  undergo  perpetual  changes  and  arc  constant- 
ly varying  mental  development.  It  Avould  seem,  therefore,  that 
mental,  as  vegetable  or  animal  development,  is  varied  only  by 
external  influences  0}>era,ting  upon  the.sc  organizations.  There 
is  however  a  diifcrcncc.  There  i.s  a  constant  laAV  of  our  nature 
urging  the  race  forward  to  higher  condition,  and  it  is  the  pre- 
rogative of  the  human  mind  to  rightly  conceive  the  design  of  this 
natural  propensity  and  to  bring  it  in  harmony  Avith  the  purpose 
of  the  Creator. 

The  disposition  "  to  better  our  condition" — the  desire  for  hap- 
piness—is a  natural  impulse  to  thought  and  action.  When  av:; 
reflect  that  thus  impulse  is  exerted  subordinate  to  physical,  social 
and  moral  condition,  operating  upon  mental  development,  the 
mind  conceives  at  once  the  impelling  motive  and  the  variety  of 
ACCIDENTS  Avhich  control  it.  The  barbarian,  Avith  the  same  im- 
pulse, finds  enjoyment  in  a,  life  far  diflercnt  from  his  fclloAV-crea- 
tures  of  a  more  hi^jhly   dcvclop-od    race.       The    sensualist,  AvilU 


IOC  TUE  MORAL  PO^VeR  OF  MA^. 

the  same  original  impnikc,-  brings  ilo-wri'  upon  himsellT  dftd  feels, 
the  pity,  if  not  the  disgust,  of  thfc  inind  which  rates  animal  en- 
jogment  at  its  tnic  A^'orth. 

It  is  then  to  this  natural  impulse  and  to  the  conditions  con- 
trolling its  direction  that  we  are  to  look  for  an  explanation 
of  the  phenomena  of  human  action.  It  is  to  these  we  ore  to  look 
for  those  defects  in  mental  development  other\Tisc  inexplicable. 
And,  capable,  as  we  are,  of  estimating  inferior,  and  of  conceiv- 
ing higher  developmbrit  than  our  own,  it  is  to  these  sources  at- 
tention should  be  directed  for  the  adranceraent'  of  the  race. 

It  is  a  peculiarity  of  tlie  mind,  that,  however  d'dvcloped,  it  is 
capable  of  appreciating  dbvdlopmcnt  higher  tllan  itiB  own,  and, 
perhaps,  there  is  no  pOWer  of  the  mind  to  which  the' race  is  more 
indebted  for  its  progress.  For,  while  the  desil^ii  fdr  happiness 
has  prompted  to  progress,-  this,  in  its  involuntai-^  hoHiage  of  the 
great  and  good  has  giVen'  direction  to  the  impulse.  In  this  pe- 
culiarity patriarchal  goverdraent  found  its  sedilrity— military 
conquerors  their  strength;  and  iii  a  later  age  mdtal  Ikroism  its 
fame. 

^^'Afovrth  benevolent  aflfeetidti  is,  says  Dr.  Reid^  ''esteem of 
the  wise  and  the  good." 

*'  The  worst  men  cantiot  avoid  feeling  this  in  sothe  degree. — 
Esteem,  veneration,  de'^/otion,  aV'e  different  degrees'"  of  the  same 
affection.  The  perfection  of  wisdotii,  power  and  gtiodncss,  which 
belongs  only  to  the  Alihighty,  is*  the  object  of  the  last." 

"It  may  be  a  doubt,  -^fhethcr  this  principle  of  esteeiii*,  as  well 
as  that  of  gratitude,  oll^^ht  to  be  ranked  in  the  df"dor  of  animal 
ptiiibiples,  or  if  they  Otighfc'  not  leather  to  be  placed  in  a  higher 
otdiji'/  They  are  cert!ainl|j^  mbt-e  allied  to  the  rationed  nature 
thh,n  thfe  others  that  hkve  bfeeh' named ;  nor  is  it  evidciiit,  that 
there  is  any  thihg  in'brtite  ahiblh.ls  that  deserves  the  sanife  name." 

*'  There  is  indeed  a' subordination  in  a  herd  of  cattle,  and  in 
a  flock  of  sheep,  which  I  believe,  is  determined  by  stren^tH  and 
courage^  as  it  is  among  savage  tribes  of  men.  I  have  ^  been 
informed,  that,  in  a  pack  of  hounds,  a  staunch  Bound 
acquires  a  degree  of  esteem  in  a  pack ;  so  that  wheri'  the 
dogs  are  wandering  in  quest  of  the  scent,  if  he  opens,  the  pack 
itamediately  closes  in  with  him,  when  they  would  not  regard  the 
opening  of  a  dog  of  no  reputation.  This  is  bumethiiig  like  a 
i-espcct  to  wisdom. 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN,        ^^sij^^lOt 

"  But  I  liave  placed  esteem  of  the  wise  ami  good  in  the  order 
of  animal  principles,  not  from  any  persuasion  that  it  is  to  be 
found  in  brute  animals,  but  because,  I  think^,  it  .fppeia^3  i#  the 
most  unimproved  and  in  the  most  degenerate  part  of  our  species, 
even  in  those  in  whom  wc  hardly  perceive  any  exertion,  either 
of  reason  or  virtue." 

This  power  to  appreciate  higher  development  an<l  higher  con- 
dition should  be  employed  in  behalf  of  our  successors — the  ad- 
versities, evils,  defects,  arising  from  physical,  social,  or  moral 
condition,  affecting  our  development  and  apparent  to  us,  should 
be,  as  far  as  possible,  removed  from  theirs.  In  order  to  this, 
physical  adaptations,  as  they  have  been,  may  be  still  greatly 
ameliorated,  and  social  condition  may  be  advanced  as  far  beyond 
our  present  condition  as  we  exceed  the  savage.  AVith  such  in- 
telligence, in  the  exercise  of  which  the  mind  finds  its  highest 
happiness,  the  race  i^ay  co-operate  with  the  design  of  God  and 
facilitate  its  advancement  to  that  condition,  physical,  social 
nnd  moral  to  yrh.\ch.  the  mind  has  intuitively  ^looked  from  the 
beginning. 

But,  as  ^ilready  geen,  these  physical  and  social  defects  can 
only  be  removed  by  adrancii^g  popular  intelligence  and  this  ad- 
vancement can  only  spring  from  individual  development;  so  that 
physical  aijd  soial  amelioration  are  secondary,  and  advancing  in- 
dividual development,  preliqjiinary,  to  all  permanent  improve- 
ment of  the  conditions  of  life. 

We  need  not  be  blind  instruments  in  this  sublime  work.  It 
is  only  necessary  to  comprehend  tiie  design  of  our  creation  to 
bring  gradually  under  human  control  the  means  for  its  accom- 
plishment. No  system  can  alter  the  PRoqressivk  order  of  the 
creation.  We  cannot  graft  the  oak  of  centuries  upon  the  stock 
of  a  yeamor  give  to  a  people  of  one  age  the  civilization  of  an- 
other— ^nor  educate  a  generation  free  from  our  imperfections. — 
AVith  physical  condition  ever  varying— -both  in  man  and  nature, 
and  social  condition  in  perpetual  change — it  is  impossible  so  to 
educate  the  disposition  of  mind  and  to  foresee  the  accidents  by 


108  THE  MOiiAL  l\>WEIt  OF  MAN'. 

which  it  is  to  be  trloil  as  to,  prevent  great  (llversity  of  mental  de- 
velopment. De^trrocs  of  moj>ta}  and  moral  dcvolopmcnt  \Till  contin- 
ue and  continue  forever:  for  tlic  mind,  in  its  eternal  progress,  must 
look  doMu  upon  natures  of  inferior  gro^vtli.  But,  ^ve  n»ay  lessen 
the  extremes  of  evlT,  where  ■we'  know  the  cause  and  effect,  by 
that  anxious  care  and  pro\  idcnce  devolved  upon  us  as  the  great 
duty  of  life,  in  the  fuM  discharge  of  which,  can  alone  be  felt,  the 
consciousness  of  the  hiirhest  virtue.  "When  -we  think  of  the  sou- 
crations  as  they  rise  and  disappenr  ;  of  the  transmii^sion  of  phys- 
ical, social  and  moral  evil :  of  the  nrigimil  »nd  .supreme  law  of 
progress  slowly  ad> ancing  tlic  race  in  mental  development : 
of  the  intelligence  and  j)owcr  he^jueathed  to  us  by  the  r.\ST  over 
the  causes  affecting  the  mental  development  of  the  i-ltuiie — 
"wc  begin  to  realize  our  great  n)ission — intelligent  .voluntary 
agency,  in  accordance  with  the  Dii^idN  of  the  Creator,  in  the 
DEVELOl'MEM  OF  .MIND. 

*'  The  simple  facts,  that  the  Creator  has  bestowed  on  mari 
reason,  capable  of  discovering  his  own  nature,  and  its.  relations 
to  external  objects  :  that  lie  has  left  liim  to  aijpl}'  it  in  framing 
suitable  institutions  to  ensure  his  happiness  :  that,  nevertheless, 
man  has  hitherto  been  ignorant  of  bis  nature  and  of  its  relations; 
and  that  in  consequence,  his  modes  of  life,  have  never  been  adopt- 
ed from  enlightened  views  of  his  whole  capacities  and  (pialities, 
but  sprung  up  from  the  histincilvd  ascendancy  of  one  blind 
proprensity  or  anothei', — warrant  us  in  sayinir,  that  a  new  er;» 
will  begin,  when  man  shall  be  enabled  to  study  his  constitufiou 
and  its  relations  with  success ;  and  that  the  future  may  exhibit 
him  assuming  his  station  as  a  rational  creature,  pursuing  his 
own  happiness  with  intelligence  and  design,  and  at  length  at- 
taining to  higher  gratification  of  his  whole  faculties  than  any 
which  he  has  hitherto  enjoyed."* 

The  highest  conception,  ordinarily,  of  education,  is  mental 
development  in  accordance  with  our  opinions  of  the  highest  phy- 
sical, social  and  moral  conditions.  The  savage  thirdcs  a  good 
hunter  and  a  brave  warrior,  an  educated  man.  The  Asiatic  is 
regarded  as  well  educated  when  he  displays  the  qualities  of  a 
good  subject  and  a  good  Mussidmaa.     The  European  when   de- 

■  L'uuiIj  .-5  •.'•■a.-riinilitiu  1)1   man. 


TUE  xMORAL  POWER  OF  MAX.  109 

vclopod  in  accordance  "v\ith  the  highest  prevailing  forms  of  social 
and  moral  condition.  Were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  -wc  are  su- 
bordinate to  a  law  of  progression — that  there  is  a  constant  im- 
pulse to  higher  condition,  no  matter  to  what  perfection  we  may 
have  arrived — the  human  mind  could  not  have  transcended  the 
earliest  stage  of  development ;  but,  with  this  impulse,  it  is  mani- 
fest, it  will  transcend  the  highest  yet  attained.  Mental  devel- 
opment is  just  that  for  Avhich  the  liumau  mind  is  organized,  and 
MUST,  progressively,  accomplish,  and  the  rightful  appreciation 
of  this  purpose,  in  the  creation,  is  the  basis  upon  which  educa- 
tion should  rest.  With  the  dc?ire  for  happiness — for  higher 
condition — which  lies  at  the  fouiidatio)!  of  our  nature, — a  know- 
ledge of  the  conditions  controlling  the  development  of  mind  and 
of  the  progressive  design  of  the  creation  is  all  that  is  necessary 
to  bring  the  mind  in  harmony  with  itself  and  with  the  order  of 
nature. 

This  is  undoubtedly  true.  The  difficulty  lies  in  our  capacity 
to  appreciate  the  means  adapted  to  our  higliest  happiness.  In- 
dividuals, tribes,  nations,  find  their  own  peculiar  means  of  hap- 
piness, subject  to  tlieir  peculiar  states  of  physical,  social  and 
moral  condition,  and  we  must  await  the  changes  in  these  condi- 
tions, under  the  advancing  order  of  Providence,  for  higher  gen- 
eral development.  A  prominent  agt^ncy,  in  this  advancing  order 
of  Providence,  is  the  human  mind.  Gradually,  under  the  influ- 
cnc3  of  its  native  propensity — tlio  desire  for  happiness — for 
higiier  condition — it  is  constantly  employed  iii  advancing  the 
conditions  of  life  and  the  design  of  Providenco.  This  is  the  ef-» 
feet  of  the  higher  law — of  human  organization — and  involuntary. 
Our  highest  effic'ency,  as  the  agents  oc  Providence,  depends 
upon  our  capacity  to  rightly  conceive  higher  conditions,  or,  in 
other  words,  the  means  adapted  to  the  highest  happiness. 

Education  may  thus  be  made  an  enlightened  and  methodical 
science  ; — its  subjects,  the  natural  instincts  of  the  human  mind, 
and,  the  causes,  physical,  social  and  moral,  affecting  tlieir  devel- 
opment.    To  what  extent  these  causes  arc  to  be   unfolded   and 


no  THE  MORAL  POWER  01'  MAX. 

controlled  by  the  human  mind,  is  for  the  future  t9  .determine. 
It  is  a  happy  rcflccticn,  that,  however  limitcdli^^i^li^  .power  may 
be  over  the  conditions  of  life,  these  conditip^^  {ire  yet  subordi- 
nate to  a  law  of  progressive  improvement,  t^  .^'hic^  even  human 
ignorance  and  human  depravity  arc  rendered  subj(ictive.  Though 
human  effort,  individual  or  collective,  may  be  uaenlightened, 
misdirected,  and,  productive  of  great  evil,  t|ie  very  evil  thus  pro- 
duced serves  to  enlighten  and  elcrate  the  race.  The  wreck  of 
human  happiness,  in  one  instance — aj(;id  this  ij?  ,t^e  great  moral 
value  of  history — affords  an  effective  |l,css9n  t9  ^lousands  of  the 
race. 

Bear  in  mind  the  important  and  i\ianifestjtr,\i.ths,  tkat  the  ori- 
ginal and  controlling  motive  of  the  huma^,5^ind  is  the  de»ire  for 
happiness.  That  this  desire  prompts  a,nd  directs  the  animal 
and  intellectual  instincts  of  the  mind^  a?<ii"  developed  under  the 
influence  of  physical  social  and  moral  cpi^dition,  and  it  will  be 
at  once  conceived  how  so  great  diversity  is  produced  in  human 
character,  and,  how  mental  develo^me^^  jc&ay  be  influenced  or 
controlled. 

Unenlightened,  the  desire  for  liappi(i;:eS3  finds  expression  in 
sensual  gratification,  or  pursuits  which  social  life  render  attact- 
ive.  Subsistence,  pleasure,  wealthy  distinction,  power — engross 
the  popular  mind — which,  tho\igh  ^ecessary  in  the  economy  of 
progress, — ?,re  those  ''  meaner  things,"  .considered  in  themselves, 
and  without  regard  to  their  purpgs.es,  .unworthy  of  the  highest 
capacity  of  the  human  mind.  }X  is  only  when  we  form  a  just 
estimate  of  the  w«e«  of  "  low  anibition," — the  improvement  of 
the  conditions  of  life, — that  the  mind  reaches  its  highest 
form  of  development,  and  comprehends  the  great  truth,  that 
blind  as  it  may  be,  the  desire  for  happiness  is  made  the  motive 
power  of  pcrpetuil  improvement. 

"  In  all  ages,  practical  men   have  been   engaged   for  three- 
fourths  of  their  time  in  pursuits  calculated  to  gratify  the  facul- 
ties which  have  reference  to  this  world  alone ;  but,  unfortunately, 
the  remaining  fourth  of  their  time  has  not  been  devoted  to  pur- 


THE  MOIVaL  rOWER  OF  jk\X.  Ill 

suits  bearing  reference  to  tlieir  higher  faculties.  ThrcHlgh  "VTaTiit 
of  intellectual  education,  they  have  been  incapable  of  derivinig 
pleasure  from  observing  nature,  and  have  not  been  furnished  vrith 
ideas  to  enable  them  to  think.  Owing  to  the  harbarism  vrhidi 
pervaded  society  in  general,  there  has  beer  no  moral  atmosphifpe 
in  which  their"  sii^'rior  gcritiment^  could  play.  Ambftlon,"  that 
powerful  stimulant  in  social  life,  has  not  been  directed  to  moi^ 
objects,  but  generally  the  reverse.  The  hours,  therefore,  whicTi 
ought  to  have  been  dedicated  to  the  improvement  of  the  highdV 
portion  of  their  faculties,  were  either  devoted  to  the  pursuit  of 
gain,  sensual  pleasure,  or  ambition,  or  spent  in  mere  trifling 
amusements  and  relaxation.  There  Mas  no  decided  onward  pur-' 
pose  of  moral  and  intellectual  advancement  abroad  in  the  secular 
occupations  of  society  ;  and  the  divines  who  formed  public  opin- 
ioa,  so  far  fi^'om  discoveving  that  this  disorder  was  tJM  inherent 
in  the  constitution  of  nature, — and  that  Christianity,  in  teaching 
the  doctrine  of  the  supremacy  of  the  moral  faculties,  neccisarily 
implied  the  practicability  of  a  state  of  society  founded  on  that 
principle, — fell  into  the  opposite  error,  and  represented  the  world 
us  deranged  in  all  its  parts,  and  incapable  of  rectification  by  the 
development  of  its  own  elwtients ;  and,  thereby,  added  strength 
and  permar.enfce  to  the  evils  >/7^ma^W(7  iii' ignoranc*  and  mis- 
guided passion."* 

In  cousidering  then,  mental  development,  or  education,  we 
must  have  regard  to  the  spontaneous  growth  of  the  mental  in- 
stincts and  to  the  conditions  of  life  which  vary  their  development. 
We  should  take  the  mind,  as  it  is  by  nature, /k7/  of  invohmtari/ 
active  power.  Desire,  passion,  emotion,  reason,  memory,  reflec- 
tion,— all  of  its  manifestations  must  be  understood  as  innate  in 
the  constitutioii'ofman — result. ng  from  it  as  necessarily  as  flow- 
er or  fruit  results  from  vegetable  organization,  aLd  that  devel- 
opment, in  sofne  fofm,  of  thfese  qualities,  is  involuntary, — the 
character  or  form  of  development  depending  uron  or  controlled' 
by  the  conditioiis  of  life. 

An  eminent' wiriter  has  said,  that,  "Providenco  has  so  inter-" 
woven  hutnan'afi'airs,  that,  fr'h^h'we  wish  to  ret; xcs  ths  revolu- 
tions of  a  people,  and  to  investigate  the  causes  of  their  grandeur 
or  misfortune,  we  are  insensibly  conducted,  step  by  step^  totheii 
cradle." 

*  Comb's  'Jon^titiiUeiiot'  inau/  ' 


}\o  'JIIK  .MOKAL  1'0'A'Kll  OV  MAX. 

1h'<  is  c'lually  true  of  tlic  ilevelopnicnt  of  thoindiv'Klual  ililiul, 
the  CM  uses  operating  upon  such  ilevelopuient,  chistcr  aiounil  tlie 
x:fatlK'  ;<f  infancy  ;  but,  ncitlicr  in  the  case  of  the  indiyidual  or 
the  nntion,  do  these  causes  wholly  originat''  at  the  birth  of  the 
x)nc  or  the  other.  The  physical  mil  inentftl  agencies  arc  then 
only  brought  into  accion,  through  uiiich,  the  influences  of  the 
past  and  pfescnt  produce  their  effects. 

This  is  easily  verified  by  reference  to  the  history  of  any  nation 
■vvhcre  you  can  trace  present  civilization  to  original  barbarism. 
AVhen  this  is  done,  and  \\v  come  to  the  cradle  of  a  State,  •we 
find  most  of  the  ca//i.7'.s  which  control  and  characterize  it,  issuing 
from  systems  AVhich  had  preceded  it.  This  is  discovered  Avhcn 
•\\c  trace  the  principles  of  civilization  of  any  of  the  European 
nations,  throm^h  the  history  of  such  nations,  and  learn  how 
such  principles  have  been  incorporated  in  their  civilization  from 
that  of  Rome  and  Greece,  and  these  derived  from  the  more  an- 
cient systems.  The  causes  of  civilization  have  been  cumulative 
from  the  days  of  the  Egyptians  and  modern  nations  are  but  dif- 
ferent exponents  of  such  accumulation,  varied  by  their  past  as- 
sociations and  local  or  physical  causes. 

So  with  the  individual,  ^i  he  causes  developing  mental  and 
moral  characteristics  may  be  traced  to  infancy-^but  the 
most  important  do  not  originate  there.  They  too,  are  the  growth 
•ages — and  as  ancient  as  the  manners,  customs,  laws,  arts, 
sciences,  morals  and  religion  of  the  social   system. 

It  has  been  said  that  "education  should  begin  with  the  study 
of  Anatomy."  But,  here  is  a  consideration,  manifestly  of  great 
importance,  before  that.  Society,  in  all  its  combinations  and 
forms  of  association,  exerts  unwise  and  vicious  influences.  It 
would  seem  that  education  should  begin  with  the  removal  of 
these.  But  this  appears  impracticable,  Avhen  Ave  reflect,  th-^t 
the  Socle  I  y  we  propose  to  educate  is  compo=^cd  of  individuals  al- 
ready educated  under  its  influences.  It  would  hardly  be  con- 
sidered practical  to  convince  a  people  of  any  social  organization, 


TUE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  113 

}\).oral,  religious  or  political,  of  the  falsity,  or  errors,  of  a  system 
mulcr  -wliich  tlicy  have  been  cducatetl  and  through  "fthich  their 
minds  have  been  moulded  and  their  trains  of  thought  prescribed. 
No.  They  will  generally  continue  in  every  form  of  associated 
life,  as  they  have  ever  been,  engaged  in  the  transmission  of  the 
l)eculiar  education  received  by  them.  We  can  only  operate  to 
advantage,  for  the  FUTurvE.  As  the  people  constitute  Society, 
their  gradual  mental  and  moral  elevation,  must,  in  the  course  of 
time,  deprive  it  of  its  degrading  influences.  Education  must, 
therefore,  labor  in  the  development  of  mind  under  this  adversity; 
but  it  may  be  nerved  with  the  reflection  that  every  age,  in  the 
Providence  of  God,  chronicles  a  glorious  triumph. 

"  If  there  be  truth  in  these  views,  they  will  throw  some  light 
on  two  important  questions  that  have  embarrassed  philosophers, 
in  regard  to  the  progress  of  human  improvement.     The  first  is, 
AVhy  should  man  have  existed  so  long,  and  made  so  small  an  ad- 
vance in  the  road  to  liappiness  ?     It  is  obvious,    that  the  very 
scheme  of  creation  which  I  have  described,  implies  that   man    is 
a  progressive  being  ;  and  progression  necessarily  supposes  lower 
and  higher  conditions  of  attainnient  and  enjoyment.    While  men 
arc  ignorant,  there  is  great  individual  suffering.     This  distresses 
sensitive  minds,  and  seems  inexplicable:  they    cannot    conceive 
how  improvement  should  so  slowly  advance.     I  confess  myself 
incapable  of  aff'ording  any   philosophical  explanation   why  man 
should  have  been  so  constituted ;  neither  can  I   give   a   reason 
why  the  whole  earth  was  not  made  temperate  and   productive, 
in  place  of  being  partially  covered  with  regions  of  barren  sand  or 
eternal  snow.     The  Creator  alone  can  explain  these  difliculties. 
When  the  inhabitants  of  Britain  wore  the  skins  of  animals,   and 
lived  in  huts,  avc  may  presume  that,  in  rigorous  winters,  many  of 
them  suffered  severe  privations,    and   some   would  perish  from 
cold.     If  there  had  been  among  the  sufferers   a  gifted  philoso- 
pher, Avho  observed  the  talents  that  Avere  inherent  in  the  people, 
although  then  latent,    and  who,  in  consequence,   foresaw  the 
splendid  palaces  and  warm  fabrics  with  which  their  descendants 
would  one  day  adorn  this  island,  he  might  well  have  been  led  to 
deplore  the  slow  progress  of  improvement,  and  been  grieved  at 
the  prevalence  of  so  much  intermediate  misery.     Yet,  the   ex- 
planation that  man  is  a  progressive  being,  is  all  that  philosophy 
can  offer ;  and  if  this  satisfy  us  as  to  the  past,  it  must  be  equal- 
ly satisfactory  in  regard  to  the  present  and  the  future.     The  dif- 


/14  THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN. 

ficulty  is  eloquently  adverted  to  by  Dr.  Chalmers  in  his  Bridgc- 
vrater  Treatise.  "  We  might  not  know  the  reason,"  says  he, 
'*  why,  in  the  moral  world,  so  many  ages  of  darkness  and  de- 
pravity should  have  been  permitte<l  to  pass  by,  any  more  than 
we  know  the  reason  why,  in  the  natural  world,  the  trees  of  a 
fci'est,  instead  of  starting  all  at  once  into  the  full  efTorescence  and 
statcliuess  of  their  manhood,  have  to  make  their  slow  and  labo- 
rious advancement  to  maturity,  cradled  in  storms,  and  alternate- 
ly drooping  or  expanding  Avith  the  vicisitudes  of  the  seasons. — 
But  though  •  imable  to  scan  all  the  cycles  either  of  the 
moral  or  natural  economj'',-  yet  we  may  recognise  such  influences 
at  work,  as,  when  multiplied  and  developed  to  the  uttermost,  are 
abundantly  capable  of  regenerating  the  world.  One  of  the  like- 
liest of  these  inJluences  is  the  power  of  education,  to  the  per- 
fecting of  which  so  many  minds  are  earnestly  directed  at  this 
moment,  and  for  the  general  acceptance  cf  which  in  society  we 
have  a  guarantee  in  the  strongest  affections  and  fondest  wishes 
of  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  families."* 

Though  individual  development  is  varried  and  controlled  by 
physical  and  social  conditions,  it  is  to  the  individual  we  must 
look  for  the  means  of  progress.  Government*  may  ertend,  un- 
der ambitious  impulses,  the  area  of  civilization.  Religion  may 
enlarge  its  conquests  by  the  sword  or  by  organized  discipline ; 
but,  in  all  ages,  individual  development,  good  or  bad,  has  given 
original  impetus  to  such  movements.  In  the  progress  of  society 
the  bad  often  gain  ascendancy  and  ti'ansmit  their  example  and 
vices  to  others;  but,  the  preponderance  of  good  prevails : 
"  Truth  crushed  to  earth,  Avill  rise  again ; 

The  eternal  years  of  God  arc  hers  ; 
But  error  w^ounded,  Avrithcs  in  pain, 
And  dies  amid  its  worshippers." 

Bacon, — Newton, — Washington  ! — how  much  is  society 
indebted"  lo  these,  an<l  to  countless  others,  for  the  blessings  we 
iiow  enjoy  ! 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  115 

Ail  hope,  or  love,  or  truth,  or  liberty, 
Whose  forms  their  mighty  spirits  could  conceive, 
To  be  a  rule  and  law  to  ages  that  survive." 
Ever  and  anon,  the  individual  mind  demonstrates' its'capacity 
to  rise  superior  to  the  social  knowledge  or  sentiment^of  the  day. 
No  one  can  doubt  this  capacity,  and  upon  it  we  must  rest  our 
hope,  that  society  may  be  relieved  of  its   evils  and    brought 
wholly  in  harmony  with  the  law  of  progress.     It  is  not  vain  tQ 
believe  that  the  Philosophy  of  Life  may  be  explained,  and  that 
every  principle  relating  to  it  may  bo  embraced  in  a  rational  and 
liarmonious  system  for  the  physical  happiness   and  advancing 
mental  development  of  man. 

"  Yes  !  crime  and  misery  are  in  yonder  earth, 
Falsehood,  mistake  and  lust ; 
But  the  eternal  world 
Contains  at  once  the  evil  and  the  cure. 
Some  eminent  in  virtue  shall  startup, 

Even  in  perversest  time. 
The  truths  of  their  pure  lips,  that  never  die. 
Shall  bind  the  scorpion  falsehood  with  a  wreath' 
Of  everlasting  flame, 
•   Until  the  monster  sting  itself  to  death." 
Th'ire  is  another  consideration  in  this  connection.     GoD  has 
not  left  human  progress  or  development  to  the  will  or  reason  of 
man,  any  more  than  ho  has  confided  to  such  reason  the  continua- 
tion and  increase  of  the  species,  and  Avhen  we  speak  of  "  train- 
ing up  a  child  in  the  way  it  should  go" — or  of  educating  mind, 
we  should  do  so  with  a  consciousness   of  inadequate   control  of 
the  conditions  of  life,  and  with  humility.     We  may  seek  to   re- 
strain or  stimulate  natural  instinct,   passion,    propensity,   cmo  - 
tion,  to  their  proper  uses.     We  may  impart  knowledge  and  en- 
lighten judgment   and  reason  ;  but  Ave  must  not  forget  that   the 
advancing    conditions  of  life  have  been  operating  to   this   end, 
upon  man,  in  all  ages.     Progress  is  imperative    and    prevails, 
whether  we  will  or  no,  and  wc  have  but   the   privilege — and  a 
blessed  privilege  it  is — of  conceiving  and  co-operating  with  the 
DESIGN  of  God  in  the  advancing  development  of  mind. 

The  Power  to  Educate  is  the  highest  power  of  the   human 
mind,  and,  as  the  development  of  the  Soul  is  the  great  end  of 


HG  THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAX. 

earthly  existence,  it  becomes  the  highest  duty  of  life.  A  per- 
fect system  of  Education  ahoukl  comprehend  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  physical  and  moral  nature  of  man,  as  well  as  the 
causes  which  intluencc  its  develojunent.  AVe  may  plant  educa- 
tion upon  the  secure  basis  ''  what  do  I  owe  myself;'*  but,  unless 
we  understand  the  laws  of  hinnan  organism,  upon  the  healthful 
developuKMit  of  which  depends  tho  happiness  of  life,  we  are  as 
the  Idind  loading  the  blind. 

As  already  intimated,  the  education  of  the  offspring  is  greatly 
dependent  upon  the  education — the  physical  and  moral  condition 
— of  the  parents.  They  are  always,  whether  savage  or  civilized 
— good  or  bad — wise  or  ignorant — Educated,  and  transmit  in 
some  form  their  physical  or  moral  imperfections.  If  they  have 
their  desires  under  defective  discipline  ;  if  reason  has  slund)ered 
until  habit  has  established  the  control  of  passion ;  if  physical 
disease  has  made  its  impression  upon  them  :  the  oifspring  mus- 
inherit  defects  which  subsequent  care  cannot  wholly  remove. 

*'Ah  !  to  the  stranger  soul,  when  first  it  peeps 
From  its  new  tenement  and  looks  aliroad 
Eor  happiness  and  sympathy,  how  stern 
And  desolate  a  track  is  this  wide  world? 
*         "^         *         On  its  wretched  frame, 
Poisoned,  perchance,  by  the  disease  and  woe 
Heaped  on  the  wretched  parent  wlicnce  it  sprung, 
P.y  morals,  law  and  custom,  the  pure  winds 
Of  heaven,  that  renovate  the  insect  tribes, 
May  breathe  not.  The  untainting  light  of  day 
May  visit  not  its  longings.     It  is  hound 
.Ere  it  has  life :  yea,  all  the  chains  arc  forged 
Long  ere  its  being." 
The  child  receives  by  nature  the  physical  and  moral  impress 
of  the  parents  and  its  race.     Hence  the   necessity    of  paienta) 
self-culture  and  the  exercise  of  tho  highest  effort  of  mind  which 
contemplates  the  influences  of  the  past  and  present  upon  mental 
development.     Self-culture  and  the  hnl)it  of  reflecting  upon  the 
causes  afl'ccting  the  development  of  desire,  passion,    disposition, 
Tvill  suggest  hoAY  best  to  guard  against  misdirection. »  If  the  par- 
rent  is  under  the  control  of  injurious  habit  of  auy  kind  then  a 


TIIF:  MORAL  rOWER  OF  MAX.  IIV 

moment's  thonp:lit  upon  its  degrading  consequences  should 
arouse  the  exercise  of  our  highest  nature,  and  a"\Yaken  a  full  con- 
ception of  our  obligation  to  ourselves,  to  those  affected  by  our 
example  and  to  God,  whose  Providence  has  ordered  the  progress 
of  mental  development.  It  is  thus  parents  may  acquire  to  a 
great  extent  intellectual  ascendancy  over  the  defective  influ- 
ences of  their  own  education,  and  impart  to  their  offspring  the 
foundation  of  a  true  nature. 

The  ascendancy  of  our  higher  nature  is  the  effect  of  higher 
development  than  now  obtains  among  the  masses  of  mankind, — ■ 
Some  have  reached  it,  in  r.  high  degree,  and  enjoy  and  trans- 
mit its  benefits ;  but  the  masses  exercise  no  restraint  upon  habit- 
ual animal  propensity,  but  such  as  arise  from  association.  For- 
tunately for  us  these  restraints  are  sufficiently  niimcrous  to  se- 
cure the  progress  of  the  race,  though  nations,  at  times,  perish 
from  tlieir  inefficiency. 

"  An  organized  being  is  one  which  flerlves  its  existence  from 
a  previously  existing  organized  being — which  subsists  on  food, 
grows,  attains  maturity,  decays,  and  dies.  Whatever  the  ulti- 
mate object  of  the  Creator,  in  constituting  organized  beings, 
may  be,  it  will  scarcely  be  denied,  that  part  of  His  design  is^ 
that  they  should  enjoy  their  existence  here ;  and,  if  so,  the 
object  of  every  part  of  their  structure  ought  to  be  found  condu- 
cing to  this  end.  To  render  an  organized  being  perfect  in  its 
hind,  the  first  law  that  must  be  observed  is,  that  the  germ  from 
which  it  springs  shall  be  complete  in  all  its  parts,  and  sound  in 
its  whole  constitution  ;  the  second  is,  that  the  moment  it  is  ush- 
ered into  life,  it  shall  be  supplied  with  food,  light,  air,  and  ev- 
ery other  aliment  necessary  for  its  support ;  and  the  third  law 
is.  that  it  shall  duly  exercise  its  functions.  When  all  these  laws 
are  obeyed,  tlio  being  should  CDJoy  j^leasure  from  its  organized 
frame,  if  tlic  Creator  is  benevolent  ;  and  its  constitution  should 
be  so  adapted  -to  its  circumstances,  as  to  admit  of  obedience  to 
them,  if  its  Creator  is  wise  and  powerful.  Is  there,  then,  no 
such  phenomenon  on  earth  as  a  human  being  existing  iu  full  pos- 
session of  organic  vigour,  from  birth  till  a<lvanccd  age,  when  the 
organized  s^ystcm  is 'fairly  worn  out?  Numberless  examples  of 
tliis  kind  have  occurred,  and  they  show  to  demonstration,  that 
the  corporeal  frame  of  man  is  so  constituted  as  to  admit  the  2ios- 


8  THE  MORAL  TOWER  OF  MAN. 

leil'Uitjj  of  Ills  cnjojing  liealtli  and  vigour  during  the  •vyIioIc  peri- 
od of  a  long  life." 

If  a  healthy  organization  results  from  the  physical  and  mor- 
al condition  of  tlie  Parents,  instinct,  desire,  propensity,  passion, 
gradually  develop  under  more  extended  inlluences.  Continued 
physical  health  is  necessary  to  proper  development,  and  to  pre- 
serve this,  requires  correct  knowledge  of  the  proper  adaptations 
of  nature  in  treatment  and  discipline.  Here  prevail  error  and 
evils  innumerable,  and  here  many  of  the  causes  of  defective  de- 
velopment originate. 

In  bestowing  this  care  the  Parents  witness  the  awakening  of 
desire.  That  for  food  is  the  first  perhaps.  IIow  often  is  this 
perverted  to  the  production  of  disease  ?  In  a  few  years  the  child 
may  delight  in  wholesome  fpod — or  h«alth  is  destroyed  by  its 
privation  or  by  unhealthy  surfeiting.  Thousands  of  the  human 
race  thus  fall  victims  to  Parental  poverty;  ignorance  or  folly.* 

The  instinct  of  Appropriation  is  native  with  the  organization 
of  man  and  brute.  In  man,  Avith  a  clear  perception  of  right  and 
wrong  appropriation,  it  is  the  source  of  most  excellence.  It 
may  be  developed  into  passion  and  produce  inordinate  desire  for 
wealth,  station  or  power — or,  controlled  by  higher  development, 

*  We  Sii}' Iben,  first  Of' all.  let  us  secure  to  our  liltk'  children  thoir  proper 
naturalness,  or  their  just,  place  and  developinent  under  that  system  of  natural 
laws  to  ^^h;ch  in  1'h  iv  i  !,\   ic;>l  constitution  they  belong.     Their  own  mother's 

,  bosom  tshould  be  1  -  nity  of  this  natural  rijcht.    We  are  not  ambitious 

of  playing  the  phy  ..id  entering;  into  the  particulars  ©f  the  nui-sery, 

diet,  bathing,  clothing,  uiid  exercise  of  children.  It  is  clear  that  imuuni-e  er- 
rors prevail  in  each  of  these  respects  ;  and  the  bills  of  mortality,  UkiI  sliowf  so 
large  a  ])ortion  of  our  race  to  be  cut.  olf  in  infiincy,  jirove  that  all  the  mistakes 
are  not  to  be  chr.rged  to  tho  doclors,  aul  that  so  costly  and  precious  a.product 
as  human  life  is  most  lavishly  and  recklessly  squandered.  The  old  sy^tem  of 
overdosing  has  been  matche I  by  the  new  sy.stem  of  ovcrputting  or  overstrain- 
ing ;  ani'.  perhaps  as  mar.y  children  have  been  destroyed  by  being  daintily 
,    kept  from  the  fresh  air  and  free  muscular  activity  as  of  old  were  destroyed  by 

■  the  laudanum  bottle  and  its  attendant  abominations.  Wocaniiot  rejoice  too 
much  in  the  comi)araiivc  em:uioii)ation  of  the  uurscTy  from  the  apothecary's 
Bho)).  and  are  fpiite  sure  that  thn  regular  medical  practice  is  not  surrendering 
all  thc'honoi's  of  this  emancipation  to  the  votaries  of  infmitesimals.  but  is  dis- 
posed to  give  even  lc,s3  medicine  to  children  than  anxious  parents  often  desire. 
—Let  this  negative  r'cfonn  be  carried  out  into  a,  mo^p  positive  policy,  and  all 
the  blessed  agencies  of  light,  air,  water,  and  motion,  will  win  new  honors  in  the 
tield  so  long  occupied  by  tht;  drugs,  and  often  make  the  grassy  playground  a 
better  herbarium  than  jjurdcus  of  balm  and  popiiie.-^,  balfrou  and  senna  and 
;-habarb.  And.nv.muis. 


THE  MORAL  TOWER  OF  MAN.  11 D 

it  maj  rate  wealth,  station,  power,  at  their  true  -ffcrth  and  ac- 
quire, like  Newton  or  Washingtou,  to  instruct  and  benefit  man- 
kind,* 

This  instinct  is  early  manifested — even  by  the  infant  "  picas* 
cd  with  a  rattle."  If  you  have  witnessed  the  early  manifesta- 
tions of  mind,  you  may  have  observed  that  the  instinct  is  easily 
controlled  in  the  earliest  stages  of  development '  by  judicious 
management.  The  distinction  between  right  and  ^rong  may  be 
imparted  before  the  words  can  be  spoken.  By  proper  instruc- 
tion and  example  the  distinction  widens  with  development  until 
the  mind  appreciates  right  ds  consistent  with  ita  normal  condi- 
tion, and,  WRONG  as  its  degradation.  Instruction  alone  will  sel- 
dom accomplish  this,  as  example,  at  home  and  abroad,  is  a  more 
powerful  influence,  for  the  reason,  that  the  instinct  of  imitation 
is  developed  early  and  reason  late.  You  inay  instruct  with  your 
highest  conceptions  of  religious  obligation  and  moral  duty ;  but, 
if  your  example  is  defectivCj  or  the  example  of  those  with 
whom  the  offspring  is  brought  into  intimate  association,  the  im- 
pression will  mark  the  development. 

Moods  of  mind  are  among  the  earliest  characteristics  of  men- 
tal development  and  are  among  the  most  important  agencies  of 
liuman  action.  These  arc  familiar  to  every  one.  They  give  va- 
riety to  human  character  and  are  gloomy  or  cheerful,  patient  or 
peevish,  gentle  or  rude,  active  or  lotiiargic,  and  numerous  oth- 
ers. The  mood  gathers  consistency  in  the  first  years  of  infancy 
and  exerts  a  controlling  influence  upon  most  of  the  operations 
of  mind. 

The  mood  is  greatly  dependent  upon  physical  condition,  and, 

under  the  influence  of  association  lays  the  foundation  of  the  pre- 

^. < 

*  Napo'.pon    in  nnkiror  hi"  o->Yn  (It'fonec,  r'vojT"i:^'^<l  this  stan-ianl  r.s  thafi:/ 
■which  b  ■  ■ 


120  'J  HE  MORAL  POWEll  OF  MAN. 

vailing  disposition  of  mind.  Auger,  and  its  wforc  irrational  dc* 
velopmcnt,  revenge;  cruelty,  inhumanity,  may  all  be  traced 
back  to  the  moOds  of  infancy.  It  is  there  that  the  malevolent, 
as  the  benevoleot,  affections,  begin  their  development  to  be  um*- 
tured  by  ignorance  or  intelligence  into  evil  or  good. 

As  remarked  ti:e  mood  is  mainly  dependent  upon  ])]iysical 
condition.  "  Tcnipcramoit  has  been  defined  to  be  that  peculiarity 
of  organization,  which  to  a  great  extent  influences  our  tlioughts 
and  actions.  The  ancient  physicians  enumerated  four  tempera- 
ments namely,  the  billions,  the  choleric,  the  phlegmatic,  the  san- 
guine, the  melancholic.  To  these  some  have  added  the  nervous, 
and  these  terms  are  still  in  use  among  modern  writers.*" 

Habit  is  the  effect  of  repetition  of  thought  or  action  and  may 
be  superinduced  upon  the  development  of  instinct,  desire,  pas- 
sion, propensity,  emotion  or,  indeed  upon  any  of  the  operations 
of  mind.  The  mood  may  become  habitually  gloomy  or  cheer- 
ful ;  physical  desire,  insatiable ;  passion  habitually  excitable, 
propensity  mischievous,  or,  humane,  and  intellectual  activity,  or, 
indolence  and  vagrancy  of  mind,  habitual. 

"  Like  flakes  of  snow  that  tall  unpcrccived  upon  the  earth, 
the  seemingly  unimportant  actions  of  life  succeed  each  other. 
As  the  snow  gathers  together,  so  are  our  habits  forjned.  No 
single  flake,  that  is  added  to  the  pile,  produces  a  sensible  change; 
no  single  action  creates,  however  it  may  exhil)it,  man's  charac- 
ter ;  bnt  as  the  tempest  hurls  the  avalanche  down  the  mountain, 
and  overwhelms  the  inhabitant  and  his  habitation,  so  passion  ac- 
ting upon  the  elements  of  mischief,  which  pernicious  habits  luive 
brought  together  by  imperceptible  accuumlation,  may  overthrow 
the  edifice  of  truth  and  virtue." 

The  great  body  of  mankind  are  more  concerned  in  the  \^\iy- 
sical  than  mental  ncce  3sities  of  their  offspring,  and  the  develop- 
ment of  mind  is  left  to  the  accidents  of  life.  Frequently  anger 
is  WMrtitrctZimstead  of  forbearance — cruelty  instead  of  kindness 
— and  when,  a  few  years  later,  the  instinct  exhibits  its  irrational 
development,  the  rod,  the  prison,  or  the  gibbet,  is  employed  as  the 
corrective.    Punishment  administered  to  the  child,  for  the  igno- 


Bruulo's  l^ncyclop'JcUa. 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  121 

ranee,  improvidence  or  false  education  of  the  parent. 

"  The  child, 
Ei*c  he  can  lisp  his  mother's  sacred  name, 
Swells  with  unnatural  pride  of  crime  and  lifts' 
His  buby-sword  even  in  a  hero's  mood. 
This  infant  arm  becomes  the  bloodiest  scourge 
Cf  devastated  eai  th  ;   whilst  specious  names, 
Learnt  in  soft  chihlhood's  unsuspecting  hour 
Serve  as  the  sophisms  with  which  manhood  dims 
Bright  reason's  ray,  and  sanctifies  the  sword 
Upraised  to  shed  a  brother's  innocent  blood," 

AiTcction,  benevolent  and  wise,  can  alone  govern  the  human 
mind  and  lead  it  in  the  way  of  truth  and  light,  and,  it  is  Only 
necessary  that  parents  should  be  enlightened  upon  the  laws  and 
purposes  of  their  own  nature,  to  secure  the  more  perfect  devel- 
opment of  their  oifspring.  It  is  deeply  gratifying  to  all  intel- 
ligent minds  that  there  are  not  Avanting  evidences,  in  the  grad- 
ual progress  of  life,  of  this  growing  enlightenment. 

"  Still  more  important"  says  ilacaulay  "is  the  benefit  lN-hich  all 
orders  of  society,  and  especially  the  lower  orders,  have  derived 
from  the  mollifying  influences  of  ci\ililization  on  the  national 
character.  The  ground-work  of  that  character  has  indeed  been 
the  same  through  UKiny  generations,  in  the  sense  in  which  the 
ground  work  ci  the  character  of  r,n  individual  may  b6  said  to  be 
the  same- when  he  is  a  rude  and  thoughtless  schoolboy  and  when 
he  is  a  refined  and  accomplished  man.  It  is  pleasing  to  reflect 
th;it  the  public  mind  of  England  has  softened  while  it  has  ri- 
pened, and  that  we  have,  in  the  course  of  ages,  become,  not  only 
a  wiser,  but  alsv  a  kinder  people.  There  is  scarcely  a  page  of 
the  history  ot  lighter  literature  of  the  seventeenth  century  which 
does  not  contain  some  proof  that  our  ancestors  were  less  hu- 
mane than  tlieir  posterity.  The  discipline  of  workshops,  Ot 
scho,ols,  or  private  families,  though  not  more  efficient  than  at 
present,  was  infinitely  harsher.  Masters,  well  born  and  bred, 
were  in  the  habit  of  beating  their  servants.  Pedagogues  knew 
no  way  of  imparting  knowledge  but  by  beating  their  pupils. — 
Husbands,  of  decent  station,  were  not  ashamed  to  beat  their 
wives.     *     *     *     The  more  we  study  the  annals   of  the  past, 


l-':i  THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN. 

the  luorc  shall  Ave  rejoice  tliat  ayc  live  in  a  merciful  age,  in  an 
age  ill  which  cruelty  is  abhorred,  and  in  >vhich  pain,  even  vrheu 
deserved,  isinilicted  reluctantly  and  from  a  sense  of  duty.  Ev- 
ery class,  doubtless,  has  gained  largely  by  this  great  moral 
change  ;  but  the  class  •which  has  gained  most  is  the  poorest,  the 
most  dependent,  and  the  most  defenseless/' 

Development  of  mind  being  dependent  upon  physical,  social 
and 'moral  condition,  it  is  very  evident  that  the  power  of  the  pa- 
rent is  limited  by  their  ability  to  control  these  conditions.  In- 
deed, our  influence  over  mental  development  is  limited  in  all  re- 
spects save  in  the  discovery  of  truth.  We  cannot  control  men- 
tal development  save  in  subordination  to  physical,  social  and 
moral  condition ;  but  we  may  discover  the  evil  and  good — the 
false  and  trnt — in  these  conditions,  and  be  instrumental  in  their 
improvement.  With  such  discovery,  civilization  has  gro'ffn  and 
must  continue  to  advance. 

"In  maturity  of  sense  and  understanding"  says  Lord Kames, 
"benevolence  appears  more  and  more;  and  beautiful  final  caus- 
es are  discovered  in  many  of  nature's  productions,  that  formerly 
•were  thought  useless,  or  perhaps  hurtful :  and  the  time  may 
come — we  have  solid  grouni  to  hope  that  it  will  come — when 
doubts  and  diliiculties  about  the  government  of  Providence  will 
all  of  them  be  cleared  up,  and  every  event  be  found  conducive 
to  the  general  good." 

Education  should  be  concerned,  first,  with  the  animal  propcu- 
Bitics.  Here,  development  is  often  perverted  for  life.  Those 
who  have  seen  the  petted,  the  harshly  treated,  or  neglected 
child,  come  to  maturity,  may  have  seen  in  the  man  or  Avoman  the 
disposition  formed  in  the  nursery.  Indeed,  most  of  the  actions  of 
life  are  colored  or  controlled  by  the  bias  of  mind  received  in  in- 
fancy. A  system  for  the  nursery,  in  accordance  with  our  phy- 
sical organization,  animal  instincts,  and  the  relative  adaptations 
of  nature — together  with  rules  derived  from  accurate  observa- 
tion of  proper  treatment  and  discipline,  "would  prove  highly  ben- 
eficial to  mankind.'-" 

*  A  carlul  education  is  a  great  matlcr  ;  for  our  uiii)ds  are  eafsily  fOiilii-cl  iu' 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  123 

l^lic  discipline  of  animal  propensity  brings  insensl'bly  into  ex- 
ercise the  highest  mental  quality  found  in  animal  nature — the 
l>ower  of  judging.  Animals  share  it  ^Yith  us,  and  it  is  awaken- 
ed, before  the  mind  comes  to  reflect  upon  its  action.  It  is  con- 
trolled by  its  range  of  subjects  and  undeveloped  minds  necessa- 
rily decide  with  a  limited  knowledge  of  relations,  The  develop- 
ment of  this  power  exercises  a  controlling  influence  over  the  emo- 
tions, wliich  correspond  with  the  grade  of  intelligence.  Confi- 
dence, sympathy,  patriotism,  philanthropy,  devotion — love  of 
the  beautiful,  the  true,  the  good — arc  modified,  controlled,  de- 
veloped, as  intelligence  advances  and  extends  or  elevates  its 
plane  of  thought.  The  grade  of  intelligence  distinguishes  alike 
the  develoiiTnent  of  the  passions,  aficctions  and  devotions,  of  the 
savage  and  cultivated  mind.  The  higher  development  of  the  pa- 
rent must  be  brought  to  the  assistance  of  the  young  mind,  in 
the  development  of  the  judgment — in  controlling  and  inculcating 
self-control  of  animal  propensity — and  in  awakening  concep- 
tions of  higher  relations.' 

The  natural  emotions  are  hiirhlv  conducive  to  this  result.  A 
lively  appreciation  of  the  Beautiful,  in  nature  and  art ;  of  Or- 
der and  I^AR^[ONY — may  be  excited  at  an  early  ago.  These 
emotions  are  nearly  allied  to  moral  purity,  aSj  from  that  Source 
are  the  effects  which  produce  thom,  and  the  human  mind  is  thus 
brouQ-ht  into  communion  with  the  attributes  of  its  Author. 

Thus  may  be  awakened  and  enlightened  the  Religious  senti-. 
ment — native  to  the  human  mind — varied  onhj  hj  the  conditions 
of  /(/>— and,  essential  to  the  highest  mental  development.  With 
Nature  for  your  theme,  and  Providence  your  guide,  you  have 
exhaustless  stores,  in  and  around  you,  of  the  beautiful — the  true 

our  youth,  but  it  is  a  harder  business  to  cure  ill  habits  ;  besides  that,  we  arc 
inflamed  by  climate,  consiltuiion,  company,  and  a  thousand  other  accidents  that 
we  are  not  aware  of. 

TJK-  choice  of  a  good  niirse.  and  a  w"ll-nalured  tutor,  goes  a  great  wnj  ;  for 
the  sweetness  both  of  the  blood  and  of  the  manners  will  pass  into  the  child.— 
.SKNKfv's  Morals. 


124  THE  MORAL  TOWER  OF  MAN. 

— the  good — -with  wliicli  to  nurture  into  constant,    active   exor- 
cise, the  devotional  instinct  of  the  Soul. 

It  is  not  the  purpose,  in  speaking  of  mental  development,  to 
distinguish  between  racnial  and  moral  nature.  Thcv'  are  one, 
and  inseparable.  "Wisdom  is  creative,  or,  appreciatiye,  of  the 
good.  Evil  is  destructive,  both  in  Its  agency  and  effects,  and, 
in  human  development,  can  only  result  from  ignorance.  PLM-fect 
intelligence  and  perfect  moral  purity  are  inseparable.  F;illing, 
under  the  conditions  of  this  life,  far  short  of  this  perfect  intel- 
ligence, we  bear  all  the  moral  imparities,  in  their  degrees,  inci- 
dent to  our  condition  and  defective  intelligence. 

The  right  education  of  our  children  is  not  only  the  highest 
interest  parents  can  have  in  life ;  for  there  is  nothing  which  can 
supply  its  deficiency;  but  it  is  an  interest,  -svhich  if  rightly  con- 
sidered, obliges  them  to  feel  concerned  in  the  mental  develop- 
ment of  the  children  of  others;  simply  because  "evil  associa- 
ation  corrupt  good  habits,"  and  the  good  v»e  liope  for  our  chil- 
dren may  be  defeated  by  th«  perverse  education  of  otlu;.-;.  A 
parent  who  turns  upon  society  a  child  nf  defective  development 
may  find  his  apology  in  uncouscious  agency  but  ho  has  none  the 
less  inflicted  an  injury  alike  upon  his  offc^pring  and  upon 
his  fellow  beings.  There  are  grave  considriations  in  connection 
with  this  fact  which  should  be  made  subjects  for  reflection. 

DuriHg  the  process  of  early  mental  development  the  influence 
of  external  causes  is  ever  widening.  If  tlic  proper  use  of  in- 
stinct, passion,  &c.,  has  been  induced,  the  effect  is  most  gener- 
ally strengthened  by  extended  social  infiuencc.  If  improper 
uie  has  been  indulged,  general  socinl  influence  incrca.-'>s  tlie 
tendency — because,  the  doors  are  wide  open,  in  Society, 
leading  to  good  and  evil  associations.  Hence,  in  a  just  system 
of  education,  the  importance  of  establishing  HABIT  of  thought 
and  action  before  the  youth  is  subjected  to  this  ordeal. 

The  mind  attains  its  highest  happincris  in  useeul  occfpatiox. 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  125 

It  finds  no  permanent  satisfaction  in  contentment  or  c-asc.  How 
transient  such  states  really  are,  becomes  apparent,  when  we 
reflect  that  however  comfortable  our  state  may  be,  we  are  still 
impelled  to  something  we  conceive  higher  and  better.  You  may 
surround  youth  with  the  affluence  of  luxury — but  this  does  not 
satisfy  the  law  of  the  mind  ;  you  may  encompass  manhood  with 
every  apparent  element  of  contentment  and  the  mind  will  still 
obey  its  law ;  you  may  give  ago  its  ease — all  that  the  mind 
craves  or  hopes  from  temporal  existence  and  it  will  still  seek 
to  penetrate  new  fields  for  action  and  enjoyment. 

Mental  development,  then,  tj  be  happy,  must  conform  to  the 
paramount  law  of  the  mind — must  be  subordinate  to  its  impul- 
sive principle.  This  impulsive  principle  is  the  motive  to  higher 
happiness;  higher  happiness  can  only  result  from  a  right  direction 
ot  the  impulse,  and,  right  direction  is  only  found  iu  useful  oc-^ 
cupation. 

The  boy  of  three  or  four  years  exhibits  this  law  of  the  mind. 
He  appeals  to  you  in  a  thousand  innocent  ways  for  occupation 
and  implores  you  to  lay  for  him  in  the  habit  of  useful  employ- 
ment the  foundation  of  happiness.  Wiser  thou  in  conceit,  you 
leave  the  boy  to  find  occupation  and  t'.iink  to  provide  for  his  h  jp- 
piness  by  exclusive  attention  to  his  {physical  wants  or  by  pro- 
viding a  hoard  to  remove  from  him  all  motive  to  useful  occupa- 
tion. Stupid  as  you  are,  when  he  finds  occupation,  it  may  be 
in  licenti."jus  indulgence,  under  your   improvidence,   you  hardly 

conceive  that  you  yourself  are  the  immediate  cause  of  his  ruin. 

Bloated  with  wealth — flattered  by  a  depraved  popular,  opinion 
— though  families  around  you -are  constantly  alTording  you  evi- 
dences of  the  misery  which  attends  the  lack  of  useful  occupa- 
tion, you  continue  to  gloat  over  and  increase  you  hoard  that  your 
children  may  not  bo  subjected  to  useful  occupation,  cr  that  they 
may  become  the  slaves  of  pernicious  habit. 

It  matters  not  what  the  occupation — how  high  or  how  lowly 


Ur,  THE  MOliAL  rOWER  OF  MAX. 

so  that  it  has  for  its  object  individual  or  general  utilit}-.  , ..-, 
lon2;  as  that  object  is  before  the  mind  the  man  is  happy  in  his 
occupation — and  where  there  is  no  such  object  before  the  mind 
there  is  no  happiness. 

How  different  is  the  opinion  which  prevails  in  Christendom  of 
the  means  of  excellence  and  happiness.  Wealth,  like  that  of 
Croesus,  which  SoloifWin  contemned,  and  position  such  as  Cin- 
cinattus  gladly  resigned  for  the  plough  is  the  object  of  popular 
aspiration  and  the  end  of  individual  ambition,  though  bitterness 
and  disappointment  await  the  fruition. 

"  Oh,' could  I  win  your  ears  to  dare  be  now 
Glorious,  and  great  and  calm  I  that  ye  would  cast 
Into  the  dust  those  symbols  of  your  woe, 
Purple  and  gold  and  steel." 

Cultivate  ambition  !  as  by  misdirection  of  that  impulse  great 
evil  flows  to  man.  Love  thyself  first,  but  yrisely,  conscious  of 
what  is  due  thy  nature,  j^^'l/sical  and  moral.  Thus  the  highest 
interest  is  wedded  to  the  highest  happiness,  and  ambition,  which 
wisely  serves  us  first,  miist  serve  our  race  and  do  the  work  of 
God.  Usefulness  is  recognized,  if  not  always  in  passing  socie- 
ty, at  least  in  history,  as  the  test  of  excellence — the  end  of  ration- 
al ambition.  Let  this  be  the  aim  and  no  frost  will  nip  the  tender 
leaves  of  hope — no  high  blown  pride  be  left  to  the  mercy  of  ad- 
verse fortune.  The  intention  remains,  whate'er  befalls,  to  sus- 
tain and  animate  the  miud  with  conscious  v'rtue.  But,  fling 
away 

"  The  Suicidal  selfishness  that  blights 
The  fairest  feelings  of  the  opening  heart. 
Madly  they  frustrate  snll  their  own  designs ; 
And  where  they  hope  that  quiet  to  enjoy 
Which  virtue  pictures,  bitterness  of  soul, 
Piercing  regrets,  and  vain  repentances, 
I)isease,  disgust,  lassitudes,  pervade, 
Their  miserable  lives.'' 


THE  MOIIAL  rOWEPc  OF  MAX.  ui 

Such  reflections  Avould  place  education,  upon  its  foundation, 
ending  in  mental  development  where  all  other  systems  of  edu- 
cation BEGix.  That  ^Yhich  Mr.  Locke  tliought  "  a  curious  sub- 
ject of  enquiry"  the  ORGANIZATION  of  the  human  mind,  is  here 
suggested  as  the  only  true  foundation  of  enlightened  develop- 
ment. To  devise  as  Mr.  liocke  has  done,  in  his  "  Conduct  of  the 
Understanding','  a  system  of  education  without  regard  to  the  in- 
nate qualities  of  the  mind  itself,  was,  simply,  to  effect  a  now 
ARRANGEMENT  for  the  acquisition  of  knoAvledge  without  throw- 
ing additional  light  upon  the  mental  nature  employed  in  the  ac- 
quisition. Instead  of  consuming  so  much  labor  and  time  upon 
the  question  whether  there  are  or  not  innate  idIsas,  the  decision 
of  which  is  no  practical  moment,  how  greatly  we  might  have 
been  benefited  if  his  clear,  logical  mind,  had  been  devoted  to 
the  explanation  of  those  innate  qualities  or  laws  of  mind — in- 
stinct, passion,  propensity,  emotion,  memory,  reason,  reflection 
&c.  There  can  be  no  question  about  these  being  innate.  No 
one  imagines  that  the  mind  acquires  them  but  as  the  very  es- 
sence of  human  nature.  Now,  rational  education  depends — 
should  be  founded,  upon  the  proper  and  natural  development 
of  these  qualities. 

With  physical  and  moral  health  developed  at  Home,  parents 
may  then  discuss  the  value  of  Academic  Knowledge.  If  learn- 
ing could  be  stript  of  all  its  .vanity  of  dress  and  the  naked 
truths  of  wisdom,  in  all  its  departments,  submitted  to  the  mind 
there  could  be  no  question  of  the  value  of  the  Schools.  But 
noAV,  we  are  coming  to  understand  that  the  human  mind  is  not 
organized  simplv  to  master  the  dull  routine  of  Academic  forms. 
That  these  always  enervate,  burthen,  its  native  energy,  and 
can  never  be  aught  else  than  mediums  through  which  it  looks,' 
from  the  knowledge  of  the  past,  upon  the  things  around  and  be- 
fore it.     Often  the  medium  is  made  to  intercept  or   pervert  thtr' 


128  1IIK  MOliAL*  POWER  OF  MxVX. 

view.*  And  always  thus  when  scholastic  education  is  tauirht  Ki, 
the  END  of  incntiil  cftcrt.  The  result  is  a  miserly  accumulation 
of  forms  and  words — blank, — dark — cbjectless  and  destructive. 

Let  education  rest  upon  the  native  in^tinctg  of  the  mind.  Let 
it  commence  witli  the  education  or  regulation  of  its  propensities 
and  passions — und  this  will  develope  correct  habits  without  im- 
pairing that  eni:rgy  which  is  the  fountain  of  all  excellence. — 
All  the  instincts  of  the  mind  were  given  for  individual  or  gen- 
eral good.  They  only  need  to  be  controllid  aright  to  remove 
most  individual  and  general  wrong.  This  is  the  parental  prov- 
ince. When  it  is  well  accomplished,  IN>'ATE  mental  impulse  and 
external  influences  will  lead  to  useful  activity. 

Mind  has  .been  often  highly  ilcveloped  by  the  force  of  early 
formed  habit  in  the  absencQ  of  academic  learning.  'Keccssity 
-acting  upon  the  mind,  often  establishes  in'eaiiy  lite  the  habit  of 
industry  and  ffugalitv,  and  those  often  lead  to  distinguished 
usefuhiess.  Poverty  is  often .ihe  source  of  genius  and  wealth, 
and  afiiucuce  the  mother  of  sloth'and  inaction,  though  not  nc- 
cej-sivrilj  so. 

It  is -not  difficult  to  discover  the  source  of  all  habits.  The 
habit  of  the  inebriate  is   revolting  and  disastrous — who  is  there 

*TLn.miu«lor  man  bring  very  nai row,  and  f^o  slow  in  making  ncciiidiiitarce 
wllh  things,  iui.l  t.iking  in  ne.v  tniili.*.  tliat  no  unc  miin  is  c<i])al)li'  in  a  tiiuch 
JoEi;()r  lii«»  th;in  oius.  to  i<no\v  all  trnlLs  :  it  boccmi'-s  our  j)nii]i'nce.  in  onr 
scij-cli  alter  kiun\  i<'(lge,*l'o  t'Utploy  our  tlioughts  fibtiot  fundaipi-nial  nnd  niaic- 
rial  qiicslKi;:-.  carefully  avoiding  tlio?o  tlialuie  triiling,  and  not  suflciiJig.  onr- 
.selvt'i?  to  be  diverted  irom  our  main  evt-n  puvpore  by  ijii;.se  liiat  are  riiviely  in- 
cident.il.  H<.w  nnieli  ot  m;vny  joi.ng  men!'  lime  is  Ihrcwn  away  in  juirely  Ifg'- 
icnl  inouirie.s  !  nerd' not  mention,  '.^is  is  uo  lietter  than  if  a  man.  wiio  was  to 
be  a  p:iin1er.  .«lionkl  s-peiid  all  lii.-'  lime  in  examinii  g  tbe  llireads  ol  tl:e  several 
cloths  lie  i.'!.t()i)aiiil  u])(ai..an(l  eowuiing  tbe  hui^s  ol  eacii  pencil  be  intends  to 
u:e  in  tbe  laying  nn  of  bi.s  colours.  Nay.  it  iv  much  \\oi:e  iban  lor  a  youiig 
paiiiier  tt.  i-penu  bis  ajipienilcii^bip  in  such  useless  nicetiiii ;  l«^r  Ife,  at  tbe  cml 
oT  all  his  pains  io  no  purpose  finds  that  i(  is  not  paintmg,  ni>r  any  help  to  it, 
.and  so  is  really  to  no  jiuiposc  ;  whereas  men  designed  i'or  scbolnrs  b;.\  e  oft»'U 
their  hi'uils  so  tilled  and  warmed  with  di.^puivs  on  logical  q\ieslions.  that  tbey 
take  those  airy  useless  notions  for  real  and  subs:tantial  knowledge,  and  think 
their  understandings  so  well  fiirnislied  with  science,  that  lliev  uced  not  look 
any  farther  into  ilio  nature  of  ihings,  or  descend  to  tbe  mechanical  drudge- 
ry of  experiment  and  enquiry.  This  is  so  obvious  a  mismanagement  of  the  un- 
derstanding, and  that  in  the  professed  way  to  knowledge,  that  it  could  i  ot  be 
passed  by  :  to  which  might.be  joined  abundance  of  questions,  lud  the  flay  of 
ijanUling  them  in  the  .schools.-  Lockk's  Es>;  av. 


THE  MORAL  TOVVER  OF  MAN.  119 

that  cannot  traee  it,  in  every  instance  to  its  origin.  Stealing  is 
degrading  and  pernicious ;  yet  its  origin  is  found  in  a  natural 
instinct  of  the  mind,  irrationally  perverted.  So  with  criminal 
habits- in  all  their  phazes.  If  we  do  not  want  criminals  our  ed- 
ucational system  must  he  perfected  so  as  to  control  the  formation 
of  habit  ija  youth.  When  a  stone  is  loosened  from  the  top  of* 
decl  vity  we  are  not  surprised  at  its  increasing  momentum ;  nor, 
if  education  is  regardless  of  the  formation  of  habits — of  indus- 
try or  idleness — frugality  or  wastefulness — sobriety  or  drunken- 
ness— should  we  be  surprised  at  the  inevitable  results. 

If,  however,  the  example  of  society,  and  parents,  is  favourable 
to  the  formation  of  proper  habits,  it  matters  not  so  much  wheth- 
er you  carry  the  youth  through  the  routine  of  scholastic  learning. 
He  will  make  his  way  and  if  blessed  with  health  will  •  generally 
rise  to  usefulness.  This  is  simple  truth  though  utterly  ignored 
by  society  and  by  the  academy.  Society^  which  controls,  to  a 
large  extent,  the  development  of  mind,  through  its  own  educan 
tion,  punishes  men  for  imbibing  its  elements  of  mischief;  and 
Academies  take  the  pupil  after  his  passions  have  acquired  con- 
sistency and  his  moral  tendency  has  been  fixed,  to  give  shrewd- 
ness to  the  prevailing  proclivity  of  mind.  The  course  of  in- 
struction has  little  influence  in  correcting  evil  habits  thus  form- 
ed; but  often  lays  the  foundation  of  evil  ones.  •  Seldom  any- 
thing is  regarded  beyond  the  recitation,  as  if  such  a  bur- 
den upon  the  mind  can  satisfy  its  craving.  The  brightest 
intellect  often  masters  the  lesson  speedily  and  then  luxuriates 
in  the  indulgence  of  its  prevailing  propensities. 

"We  must  begin  earlier.  "  The  old  systems  of  instruction,'* 
said  Napoleon,  "  are  worth  nothing.  We  want  Mothers."  Wo 
need,  in  the  sources  of  life,  sound  health,  clear  minds  and  pure 
hearts.  But  is  not  this  impossible  ?  At  once,  certainly  ;  but, 
we  know  that  those  uniting  these  qualities  have  lived  and  en- 
joyed— 

*'  The  soul's  calm  sunshine  and  tlie  heartfelt  joy ;" 
We  know  that  the  number  of  such  have  greatly  increased  in  the 
p  rogress  of  civilization,  and  if,  in  the  development  of  mind,  the 
attention  of  parents  is  directed  to  its  culture,   in  the   ycSrs  of 


130  THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  ilAN. 

infancy,  it  is  evident  that  future  generations  -would  more  genef-' 
ally  transmit  to  their  oflfspring  subdued  passions  and  enlightened 
judgment,  from  vrhich  vre  derive  our  highest  conception  of  human 
virtue  and  human  happiness. 

Academic  instruction  may  cultivate,  but,  it  seldom  gives  rise 
to  the  prevailing  mental  iii'^tincts,  and  oftener  stimulates  than 
subdues  the  preponderance  of  animal  passion.  This  is  practi- 
cally so  and  the  effect  is  rather  to  quicken  pirevailing  instincts 
than  to  subordinate  them  to  calm  reason  and  the  high  purposes . 
of  life.  As  an  art,  academic  instruction  docs  not  embrace  a 
complete  system  of  mental  development ;  but  a  system,  by  which 
a  great  mental  poioer^  already  characteristically  developed,  is  to 
be  improve'd  by  rules  or  graced  with  ornament.  And'  legislation 
too,  like  our  schools,  takes  hold  of  the  power  after  it  has  received 
its  prevailing  Inomentum  and  relieves  society  of  irregularities  by 
'penal  codes.  The  education  and  legislation  are  both  defective. 
They  should  co-operate  in  perfecting  a  system  of  natural  in- 
struction in  the  physical,  mental  and  moral  laws  of  the  human 
organization.  With  such  a  system  to  enlighten  iioME  EDUCA- 
TION, man,  could  soon  dispense  with  penal  laws. 

"I  have  already  o*bserved,  that  before  wo  can  obey  the  Cre- 
ator's institutions  we  must  know  them ;  that  the  science  which 
teaches  the  physical  laws  is  natural  philosophy  ,•  and  that  the 
organiclaws  belong  to  t^.o  department  ol  a)Kitomy  and  physiol- 
gy :  and  I  now  add^  that  it  is  the  business  of  the  Political  Econ- 
omist to  unfold  the  kinds  of  industry  that  are  really  necessary  to 
the  welfare  of  mankind,  and  the  degrees  of  labour  that  will  meet 
Tvith  a  just  reward.  The  leading  objects  of  political  economy,  as  a 
science,  is  to  increase  enjoyment,  by  directing  the  apj^'ication  of 
industry.  To  attain  this  end,  however,  it  is  obviously  necessa- 
ry that  the  n:iture  of  man,  the  constitution  of  the  phys'ical  world, 
and  the  relations  between  these,  should  be  known.  Hitherto, 
the  knowledge  of  the  former  of  these  elementary  parts  has  been 
very  deficient,  and,  in  consequence,  the  rhole  superstructure 
has  been  weak  and  unproductive,  in  comparison  with  what  it 
may  become  when  founded  on  a  more  perfect  basis.  Political 
Economises  have  never  taught  that  the  world  is  arranged  on  the 
principle  of  the  supremacy  of  the  moral  sentiments  and  intellect, 
that  consequently,  to  render  nfan  happy,  Mi  leading  pursuits 
•viust  be  such  as  will  exercise  and  gratify  these  i^owers,  and  that 


THE  MORAL  POWER  OF  MAN.  131 

his  life  will  necessarily  be  miserable,  if  devoted  Emtirely  to  tie- 
production  of  ^yealth.  They  have  proceeded  on  tho  notion,  that 
the  accumulation- of  wealth  is  the^ sun'jniwi  honum:  but  all  his- 
tory testifies,  that  national  happiness  does  not  im'ariably  increase 
in  proportion  to  national  riches ;  and  until  -they  shall  perceive 
and  teach  that  intelligence  and  morality  are  the  foundation  of 
all  lasting  prosperity,  they  will  never  interest  tlie  great  body 
of  mankind,  nor  give  a  valuable  direction  to*  their  efforts."* 

Especially  woiild  such  happy  results  flow  if  leg'islation  should 
be  directed  to-  the  removal  of  adverse  circums  Tances  which, 
acting  upon  ignorance,  lead  to  wrong.  It  should  supply,  as  we 
advance  in  civilization,  defective  parental  provide  mce,  or  devise 
some  system  by  which  such  improvidence  may  not  3)0  visited  up- 
on society  in  augmented  evil.  If  the  sources  of  evil  rire  apparent 
sarcly  the  wisdom  of  man  will  devise  some  rnode  for  ifeg  removal 
better  than  punishing  its  victims. 

"Why. should  we  longer  grope  in  tlic  dark?  Look  avrcund  you: 
at  the  various  effects  of  culture  upon  growth  in  the  re^^etable 
and  animal  kingdoms.  On  a  barren  spot  see  the  oak  dwarfed 
to  a  shrub — the  rcso  to  the  mere-  semblance  of  a  flower.  The 
same  tree,  in  a  fertile  plain,  becomes  majestic  in  its  proportions 
and  the  rose,  in  the  conservatory,  the  most  beautifu.1  and  varied 
of  flowers. 

Not  less  striking  arc  the  effects  of  poverty  on  the  animal  king- 
dom.    With  iasufficient  nourishment  animnls  arft  dwarfed their 

characteristics  changed,  and  even  mai),  bears  all  the  marks  of 
pleuteousnesss  or  poverty,  incident  to  liis  locality,  and  the  mind 
exhibits  in  as  marked  a  manner  the.  effects  of  such  causes  as  the 
rose. 

We  are  speaking  of  ORGANIZED  forms — forms  organized  for 
certain  result?,  but  dependent,  foi' their  perfect  derelopmcnt 
upon  healthy  and  harmonious  influences.  The  farmer  by  analy- 
sis discovtrs  the  essential  properties-  of  wheat  and  soil  and 
adapts  the  one  to  tho  perfect  growth  of  the  other.  So  we  must 
understand  the  nature  of  man  and. the  elements  necessary  to  his 
perfect  growth.  If  we  would  grow  a  healthy  tree  or  a  highly 
developed  flower,  we  know  how  this  is  done.  With  like  wi«dom 
must  we  proceed  with  man  upon  whose  development  depends  the 
phenomena  of  Jiis  being.  We  must  understand  the  elements  and 
conditioits  of  his  nature,  and  promote  its  development  with  all  • 
the  means  essential  to  its  health. 


Uousiiuiutiu  or  Miia. 


132 


MORAL  OBLIGATION, 

:o: 

The  prevailing  systems  of  moral  philosophy  are  in  confusion 
and  shed  an  uncertain  light  upon  the  duties  of  life.  This  is  ow- 
ing to  the  fact  that  no  theory  of  philosophy,  now  prevailing,  is 
based  upon  first  principles.  They  are  all  founded  upon  con- 
ceptions of  our  relations  to  our  fellow  beings  and  to  Deity,  in- 
stead af.bcing  rested  upon  a  knowledge  of  ourselves  and  what 
we  owe  to  our  physical  and  mental  organizations. 

*' A  moral  being,"  says  Vattel,  ^'is  charged  with  obligations 
to  himself  o>iZy  with  a  vieio  to  his  ^i<?rff(?fi(3?i  and  happiness." — 
What  we  owe  ourselves,  therefore,  embraces  the  whole  scope 
of  moral  philosophy — every  positive  and  relative  right  and  duty. 
When  education  is  brought  to  teach  the  true  nature  of  man — '■ 
the  physical  and  moral  laws  which  control  his  organization,  he 
will  learn  that  his  appetites,  propensities  and  passions,  were  giv- 
en for  beneficent  purposes  and  that  the  design  in  his  creation  is 
only  defeated  when  these  qualities  fail  in  the  just  accomplish- 
ment of  their  purpose.  It  is  only  when  we  fail  in  our  obliga- 
tions to  the  organization  with  which  we  are  endowed,  that  wc 
can  fail  in  the  discharge  of  our  duty  to  ourselves,  to  our  neigh- 
bor, or  to  God.  "The  sense  of  guilt,"  says  Dr.  Reid,  "makes 
a  man  at  variance  ivith  himself.  He  sees  that  he  is  what  he 
ought  not  to  be.  He  has  fallen /row  ^/ic  dir/niti;  of  his  nature 
and  has  sold  his  real  worth  for  a  thing  of  no  value." 

That  we  are  constituted  for  happiness — that  happmess  is  the 
design  and  aim  of  our  material,  animal  and  moral  natures,  is  a 
truth  unquestioned.  In  the  causes  which  impair  or  pervert  the 
design  we  must  find  the  explanation  of  all  physical  and  moral 
aberation.  If  to  live  in  accordance  unth  our  nature,  be  the  high- 
est temporal  condition  of  virtue  and  happiness,  then  moral  phil- 
osophy should  be  founded  upon  a  knowledge  of  that  nature  and 
of  the  physical,  social  and  moral  causes  operating  upon  its  devcl- 
opmcut. 


MORAL  OB.LIGATIOX.  133 

"The  Stoics,"  sajs  Dr.  Reid  "define  VIilTUS  to  be  a  life  ac- 
cording to  nature."  Some  oftlicm  more  accurately,. a  life  ac- 
cording to  tlic  nature  of  man  in  so  far  as  it  is  superior  to  that  of 
•  brutes.  The  life  of  the  briite  is  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
brute  ;  but  it  is  neither  virtuous  nor  vicious.  The  life  a  moral 
agent  cannot  be  according  to- his  nature,  unl6ss  it  be  tvV- 
tuous."  Moral  obligation  is  therefore  fully  embraced  in  Avhat 
we  owe  to  our  own  '  organization,  and  the  failure  to  discharge 
any  portion  of  the,  obligation  is  attended  with  unhappiness, 
though  the  causes  of  such  failure  may  have  been  wholly  beyond 
our  control.  The  savage  suffers  all  the  inconveniences  tf  his 
undeveloped  condition  though  utterly  ignorant  of  the  causes  of 
his  barbarity  and  the  vicious  in  civilized  life  suffer  from  the  clc- 
gradation  of  nature  however  that  degradation  is  produced.  Our 
m  akcr  has  fixed  the  standard  of  virtue — in  the  perfect  develop  - 
ment  of  human  nature— and  all  who  fall  below  it,  from  whatev- 
er cause,  suffer  from  the  violence  done  to  their  niture. 

The  sole  moral  obligation  resting  upbn  the  individual  is  to 
prominc  his  happiness : — upon  society,  the  promotion  of  the  hap- 
piness of  its  people.  Tliis  is  the  only  law  which  a  beneficent 
Creator  has  ineffaceably  impressed  upon  the  nature  of  man. — 
The  only  law,  to  the  violation  of  which,  he  has  annexed  an  un- 
failing penalty. 

The  law  requires  the  natural  and  proper  development  of  man's 
physical  and  moral  nature.  To  the  successful  discharge  of  this 
obligation,  he  has  annexed,  as  a  reward,  the  highest  happiness 
of  which  the  organization  is  susceptible;  and,  to  its  failure,  in 
>yhatever  degree,  aujfering,  physical  and  moral,  as  the  penalty 
and  corrective  of  a  departure  from  the  laws  and  object  of  human 
existence. 

In  the  discharge  of  thii  obligation  we  exercise  no  independ- 
ent power;  but  act,  whether  for  evil  or  for  good,  wholly  subordi- 
nate to  the  conditions  of  life.  But  it  is  still  an  obligation  due 
to  human  organizatien,  inasmuch  as  the  end  and  design  of  the 
organization  is  happiness  which  rightful  development  can  alone 
accomplish  and  wrong  must  defeat. 


m  MORAL  OBLIGATION. 

Itjias  alrca;3y'l)ccn  seen  that  right  and  wrong  development 
result  from  the  conditions  of  life.  It  may  seem  strange  that 
Avherc  there  is  no  moral  power  there  should  he  suffering.  Nor  is 
•the  subject  relievedjwhen  ve  reflect  that  this  is  a  universal  law 
of  nat-are.  Vegetable  and  animal  life  alike  suffer  from  false 
dwciopmcnt,  whatever  the  cause,  and  man,  bpth  individually 
and  sociallv,  illustrates  the  prevalence  of  the  law.  We  can  only 
understand  this  when  we  conceive  the  imperfect  nature  and  joro- 
aressive  order  of  the  creation,  and  that,  to  advance  this  progress, 
there  is  a  perpetual  impulse  in  man  to  overcome  the  evils  with 
which  he  is  afflicted. 

The  past  and  the  present  are  effects  oi  antecedent  causes. — 
Such  too  must  be" the  fate  of  the  future.  But,  it  is  here,  alone, 
that  wo  can  exercise  power  approaching  independence  ;  when 
free  from  all  passion-^all  desire,  but  the  prevalence  of  the  true 
and  p-ood,  we  may  calmly  survey  the  causes  by  which  the  mind* 
of  the  future  is  to  be  moulded.  And  not  only  examine  these 
causes;  but  it  is  clearly  within  the  scope  of  human  potcer  to  con- 
trol to  a  o-rcat-  extent,  subordinately  to  the  rrovidencs  of  God, 
the  <^ood  and  evil  which  these  cau^s  involve.  Whether  these 
causes  arc  considered  in .  their  physical  or  moral  adaptation  to 
the  development  of  the  constitution  of  man,  they  will  be  found 
o-reatly  vathin  the  compass  of  human  power.  Indeed,  from'  the 
bef^innhig,  man  has  been  blindly  impelled  in  his  conquests  over  • 
these  causes,  arid  as  the- fruit  of  his  progress  has  engrafted  upon 
the  original  conditions  of  his  life,  improved  language,  customs 
and  opinions ;  ornamental  and  useful  arts— enlightened  govern- 
ment, science  and  philosophy.  Heretofore  this  has  been  bhnd 
impulsion— because  the  end  of  it  all  was  not  foreseen  even  by 
the  wisest.  That  end  is  the  improvement  of  the  conditions  of 
life  as  they  affect  the  happiness  of  man.  But  the  impulse  need 
be  no  longer  blind — no  longer  attest  alone  the  design  of  a  benef- 
icent Crcatorv  We  too  understand  the  design;  we  too  partake 
of  the  Diviue  intelligence  and  the  Divine  poiver  to  remove  from 
the  conditions  of  life  the  causes  of  false  development. 

But  however  great  such  a  power  may  be  ^esteemed  it  is  not 
an  independent  power,  but  like  all  other  moral  power,  subordi- 


MORAL  OBLIGATION.  135 

iiate  to  the  conditions  of  life,  and  can  only  result  from  a  fortu- 
nate development  of  mind.  May  Providence  hasten  the  day 
v.hen  it  will  be  the  fortune  of  every  son  of  man ; — when  the 
conditions  of  life  will  allot  no  other  development ;  when  all  will 
fix  their  gaze  upon  the  conditions  of  life,  and  art,  science,  reli- 
gion and  philosophy,  will  intelligently  combitie  to  remove  the 
causes  of  physical  and  moral  disease. 

Moral  obligation,  then,  is  fully  embraced  in  what  we  owe  our- 
selves— our  own  organization.  This,  contains  all  positive,  all 
relative  obligation. 

Now,  if  v^e  possess  any  quality  of  mind,  which,  in  its  natural 
and  proper  exercise,  is  productive  of  moral  evil  then  the  basis  is 
defective.  Upon  this  point  Dr.  Reid  remarks : — "  All  our  na- 
tural desires  and  affections  are  r/oocl  and  necessary  parts  of  our 
constitution ;  and-  passion,  being  only  a  certain  degree  of  vehe- 
mence in  these,  its  natural  tendency  is  to  good  and  it  is  by  ac- 
cident that  it  loads  us  wrong. 

Passion  is  very  properly  said  to  be  blind.  It  looks  not  be- 
yond the  present  gratification.  It  belongs  to  reason  to  attend 
to  the  accidental  circumstanoeg  which  may  sometimes  make  that 
gratification  improper  or  hurtful.  When  there  is  no  imp'ropri- 
ety  in  it,  much  more  when  it  is  our  duty,  passion  aids  reason 
and  gives  additional  force  to  its  dictfttcs." 

May  we  not  then  successfully  explore  and  remove,  through  in- 
.  dividual  and  social  intelligence  all  the  accidental  influences  pro- 
ducing misdirection  ?  Surely  wc  may  when  a  general  knowl- 
edge of  the  human  organization  and  its  design  is  imparted  and 
when  vve  learn  that  the  accidental  causes  defeating  th3  design 
arise  from  defective  physical,  sociil  or  moral  condition.  We 
cannot  change  the  progressive  order  of  the  creation ;  but,  we 
may  do  much,  in  accordance  with  its  design,  in  subordinating 
the  conditions  of  life  to  advancing  mental  development. 

Founded  upon  the  true  nature  of  man — it  Avould  be  easy  to 
elaborate  a  philosophy  in  accordance  with  existing  systems  of 
morality.  It  would  embrace  all  Christian  virtues  and  moral  du- 
ties both  positive  and  relative.  Tlie  difference  is  only  in  the 
basis ; — but  it  is  very  important.  By  assuming  that  when  man 


:ic  MORAL  OBLIGATION. 

(liscbarges  liis  duty,  under  the  physical  arid  moral  lavs  of 
iiis  organization,  he  accomplishes  the  end  of  his  creation — ^^ 
jiappiuess ;  and;  by  assuming  that  by  proper  development  ho  will 
•lischarge  his  duty  aright;  we  arc  at  once  possessed  of  an  educa- 
tional system  universally  applicable,  and  in  accordance  T»ith  all 
■\vo  know  of  mental  science  and  replete  with  all  that  is  valuable 
im  moral  sentiment. 

The  natural  principles  of  our  organization  affording  thus  the 
basis  of  moral  obligation  the  philosophy  of  life  may  be  seen  at  a 
glance.  The  disposition  in  man  to  bettor  his  condition — in  oth- 
er words,  the  constant  impulse  in  the  pursuit  of  happiness — is 
the  disposition  through  which  the  law  of  progress  is  made  opera- 
tive in  our  mental  iiatm-e ;  for,  thougli  the  disposition  may  be 
misdirected ;  and  though  none  rca6h  that  happiness  here  which 
satisfies  his  nature,  yet,  the  race,  by  the  ever  active  impulse,  is 
being  constantly  advanced  in  physical,  social  and  moral,  con- 
dition. 

Very  different  are  the  lessons  now  taught  in  prevailing  philos- 
ophy. They  do  more  than  ignore  what  "we  owe  ourselves." — 
They  inculcate  the  opinion  that  our  nature  is  naturally  de- 
praved and  loves  evil,  while  it  loves  virtue  and  every  violation 
of  its  laws  is  a  violence  to  our  whole  being. .  They  commence  the 
education  of  the  young  mind  by  awakening  a  conception  of  itS 
utter  depravity,  llow  strange !  When  every  law  of  our  naturo 
was  given  for  good  and, it  is  only  from  ignorance  of  the  design  of 
those  laws  that  we  err.  Never  will  the  education  of  man  lead  to 
the  happiest  results  until  this  conception  is  buried  with  the  er- 
rors of  the  past. 

When  that  time  comes,  education  may  commence  with  the 
study  of  MAN,  and  Mor:\l  Philosophy,  be  placed  upon  the  sound  . 
and  enduring  basis  of  physical  and  me-VTAL  science.  "  Know 
thyself"  A.ill  then  become  the  study  of  life,  and  that  will  lead  us 
to  a  clear  knowledge  of  our  relations  to  our  fellow-beings,  and  to 
an  enlarged  conception  of  the  Greatness. — the  PoAvcr,  and  the 
Goodness  of  God. 


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